Croydon Council has secured a court-issued closure order against a rogue garage in Thornton Heath linked to dangerous vehicles, antisocial behaviour and ongoing nuisance for local residents.
The two-month closure order, granted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 6 May, led to the immediate closure of the premises at 187 Parchmore Road. The action follows a coordinated enforcement operation involving the Council and partner agencies, which resulted in unsafe and untaxed vehicles being seized and destroyed.
Executive Mayor of Croydon,, visited the site during the operation, met with residents and pledged further action as part of his zero-tolerance approach to crime and antisocial behaviour.
For months, residents had raised serious concerns about the premises and the behaviour associated with it. Complaints included dangerous and unroadworthy vehicles obstructing roads and pavements, vehicle repairs being carried out on the public highway, repeated noise nuisance, damage to paving and tarmac, and threatening and intimidating behaviour towards residents and passers-by.
There were also reports of drains being blocked with oil and waste materials, creating environmental concerns alongside significant disruption to the local community.
Despite repeated warnings, enforcement notices and Fixed Penalty Notices, the garage owner failed to comply. The Council has now taken decisive action to protect residents and restore order to the area.
The closure order was granted under powers designed to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour and criminal activity linked to specific premises. Breaching the order is a criminal offence and will result in further enforcement action.
Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, said:
“This closure order sends a clear message: if you undermine our neighbourhoods, put residents at risk or think the rules do not apply to you, we will take action.
“Residents in Thornton Heath were fed up with the antisocial behaviour, dangerous vehicles and intimidation linked to this site. They deserved better and we have acted.
“This is exactly what our zero-tolerance approach is about: backing residents, enforcing the rules and restoring pride in our neighbourhoods.
“We have already removed dangerous and untaxed vehicles from our streets. Now we have shut down the source of the problem.
“We will continue using every power available to crack down on illegal activity and make Croydon cleaner, safer and more welcoming for the vast majority of law-abiding residents.”
Residents are encouraged to report illegal garages, abandoned vehicles and antisocial behaviour to the Council so action can be taken.
