Mayor Jason Perry has secured a second term as the Executive Mayor of Croydon, pledging to prioritize financial recovery and street safety within a politically fragmented local authority. Following the elections on May 7, 2026, the Mayor, a lifelong resident of the borough, confirmed his commitment to restoring stability after a period of significant fiscal challenge for the London Borough of Croydon.
The election results have produced a council with no overall control, mirroring the previous administration’s balance of power. While the Mayoralty remains with the Conservative Party, the 70 council seats are distributed across six different political groups and one independent member. This diversity requires a collaborative approach to governance to ensure the delivery of essential services and the progression of the borough’s renewal plans.
Political landscape of the new Croydon Council
Voter turnout for the 2026 local elections reached 41.02% overall, with several wards reporting significantly higher participation. The final seat tally reflects a shift in local representation, with the Green Party and Reform UK maintaining a presence alongside the traditional major parties. The following table illustrates the current political composition of Croydon Council:
| Political Party | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Labour Party | 30 |
| Conservative Party | 29 (plus Mayor) |
| Green Party | 7 |
| Liberal Democrats | 2 |
| Reform UK | 2 |
| Independent | 1 |
Despite the lack of a single-party majority, the administration points to the previous four years as evidence that difficult decisions can be reached under a balanced council. The Mayor of Croydon’s second-term agenda will focus on maintaining this momentum, with a formal set of priorities expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Facial recognition technology and crime reduction data
A central pillar of the Mayor’s safety strategy involves the continued partnership with the Met Police Croydon. Recent data from a six-month Live Facial Recognition (LFR) pilot in the town centre has been cited as a primary success in the effort to make streets safer. During the pilot period, police made 173 arrests of wanted suspects, averaging one arrest every 35 minutes of operation.
The technology assisted in the apprehension of individuals wanted for serious offences, including sexual violence and a 36-year-old woman who had evaded court for over 20 years following an assault charge. Statistical analysis of the pilot period showed a 10.5% drop in general crime, while offences categorized as violence against women and girls (VAWG) saw a more significant reduction of 21%. These figures will likely inform future deployment strategies for surveillance technology across the borough.
Inward investment and town centre regeneration plans
Economic renewal remains a critical focus as the council seeks to move beyond its previous financial instability. Over the past four years, Croydon has secured more than £1.2bn in public and private investment. To build on this, the Mayor and local partners are attending the UKREiiF (Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum) to showcase the borough to global investors.
The council has released a new Investment Prospectus identifying key sites in the town centre ready for immediate development. This document is a core component of the Inward Investment Strategy, designed to stimulate commercial growth and housing development. Navigating Croydon’s new political balance will be essential for approving the large-scale infrastructure projects outlined in the prospectus.
Cultural programming and the Surprised! festival
Alongside policy and infrastructure, the borough is promoting its cultural identity through the “Surprised!” festival. Taking place in North End on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm, the event focuses on Asian arts and community creativity. The festival features a range of traditional and contemporary performances, including Balinese and Sri Lankan masked dancers, Chinese fan dances, and a unique Flamenco-Bharatanatyam fusion.
The event is designed to be accessible to all residents, with free workshops in arts and crafts, large-scale puppetry displays, and food vendors offering cuisines from across the Asian continent. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to revitalize the town centre’s atmosphere and encourage footfall in the main shopping districts.
Source: Croydon Council
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