Shirley South

Welcome to Met Engage,

We're transforming the Met to become a service that truly delivers for you.

Through our new platform Met Engage you can get to know your local officers, help shape how we police your local area and have direct access to key information and advice.

This isn't just a platform for us to tell you what we're doing in your area, it's an opportunity for you to tell us what's concerning you most so we can take action on the things that truly matter to you.

Shirley South Safer Neighbourhoods Team

Your Safer Neighbourhoods Team is a group of Met police officers dedicated to serving your community. The team is made up of officers based in your area or 'ward', supported by additional officers from the wider area.

We work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide our policing priorities for the area. This helps us to find useful, long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining our wider focus on reducing crime across London.

To contact to your team about local policing issues, email us at ShirleySouth@contact.metengage.co.uk or pick an officer to email below. (Please do not use this contact method to report crime, in an emergency always call 999 or you can report crime online at www.met.police.uk or dial 101).

Melanie Jane Best (Metropolitan Police, Police Constable, Shirley South)

Melanie Jane Best

Police Constable

Michael Cordrey (Metropolitan Police, Police Constable, Shirley SOUTH)

Michael Cordrey

Police Constable

Ellie Crawley (Metropolitan Police, Police Constable, Shirley South)

Ellie Crawley

Police Constable

Nathan Saville (Metropolitan Police, Sergeant, Shirley North and Shirley South)

Nathan Saville

Sergeant

Andrew Smith (Metropolitan Police, Inspector, Croydon South Neighbourhoods)

Andrew Smith

Inspector

David Thompson (Metropolitan Police, PCSO, Shirley South)

David Thompson

PCSO

Local Priority Issues

We are committed to tackling the issues that matter most to local communities. Based on our conversations with residents, and the issues they have raised with us, our main priorities are:

Priority Action taken

Motor Vehicle ASB
The warmer/dryer weather has seen an increase in motorbikes being ridden on common land on Shirley Heath causing anti-social behaviour affecting those using the land.

Issued 05 March 2026

The team will continue to patrol the area and seek to use their powers under anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle the issue and those committing the ASB.

Actioned 20 April 2026

Motor Vehicle Crime Priority
Despite a 9% year‑on‑year reduction in vehicle crime across the wider area, the issue remains clearly prevalent within Shirley South, with 88 offences recorded in the last 12 months. This is not only reflected in the crime data but is strongly echoed through community sentiment. Residents have repeatedly identified vehicle crime as their number one local priority via MetEngage, and this is reinforced further through direct conversations with community groups and neighbourhood associations.

Issued 22 January 2026

A review of the crime patterns indicates that the majority of offences occur overnight, suggesting offenders are exploiting periods of reduced natural surveillance. This pattern aligns with existing operational activity, creating an opportunity for the Shirley South SNT to support and integrate with ongoing operations.
The team will also seek to conduct street briefings in roads where there is repeat victimisation, with target hardening guidance to be given to all, as well as conduct reassurance visits to those victim of motor vehicle crime. We will also utilise MetEngage to provide crime prevention advice, and updates on any relevant activity.

Actioned 04 March 2026

Violence Related Priority
Following an increase in violence offences and weapons being found around the Shrublands Estate, the continued aim for Shirley South Safer Neighbourhood Team is to reduce violent activity via continued weapon sweeps, public crime prevention meetings, high visibility patrols and a continued police presence throughout the summer months

Issued 20 October 2025

Although not at the same level as previously there continues to be weapons found in the estate. The team will continue to patrol the area and utilise their powers of stop and search where appropriate as well as conducting open space searches of the local area. The team have held contact sessions at the Children's Centre and will look to hold further meetings there and at the community centre where the residents can discuss any issues they have with their local officers

Actioned 20 October 2025

The word cloud below represents the issues raised by residents through their Local Matters survey. We take this into consideration along with discussions with stakeholders, ward panel meetings and conversations with the public when setting our key priorities

What members in Shirley South are saying are the issues in the area:

Latest Alerts

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Have your say on independent review into the Metropolitan Police Service

The Fairfield Independent Review, led by Dr Gillian Fairfield, is assessing the Met’s progress again...

Metropolitan Police
11/03/2026 17:15:42

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Road closure on Shirley Church Road

Good evening, Police are currently on scene dealing with a road traffic collision, A crime scene r...

Metropolitan Police
05/03/2026 19:24:14

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Speed Gun

Speed Gun operations took place in Shirley yesterday.

Metropolitan Police
27/02/2026 13:49:14

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Cuppa with a Copper : Fri 22 May 11:00

Hi Resident The Team will be at the Shirley Library for an Hour. Please come and speak with us if ...

Metropolitan Police
26/02/2026 13:00:44

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Cuppa with a Copper : Fri 17 Apr 11:00

Hi Resident The Team will be at the Q Cafe on Wickham Road for an Hour. Please come and see us if ...

Metropolitan Police
26/02/2026 12:51:34

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Cuppa with a Copper : Fri 27 Mar 11:00

Hi Resident The Team will be at the Shirley Library for an Hour. Please come and speak with us if ...

Metropolitan Police
26/02/2026 12:32:32

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Motor Vehicle Crime Operation

Good afternoon. Over the evenings of the 11th - 13th February officers from your local teams and ...

Metropolitan Police
23/02/2026 15:15:18

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Cuppa with a Copper : Tue 03 Mar 11:00

Hi Resident

Metropolitan Police
22/02/2026 11:29:00

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  • 27/03/2026 11:00
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