Croydon Through the Looking Glass
Walking through the streets of Croydon in 2014, it was all too common to fall victim to crimes such as theft, GBH, rape, and even murder – unless you were the perpetrator yourself.
With a reduction of 20,000 police officers and countless young people searching for opportunity and wealth but instead encountering a wall of institutional racism, poor governance, and prejudice, it’s no surprise that crime surged during these years. By the end of March, knife crime in the South London borough had risen by 80%, and by 2018, Croydon saw the highest increase in killings, with 285 recorded – the largest number in over 70 years.
A leaked Home Office report indicated that these cuts likely contributed to the rise in serious violent crime, with 25% of the victims being black. As one force diminished, another rose to take its place – the impact of a community group.
One of the victims was Fico Dougan, who was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack in South Croydon at the age of 17. In a unique display of leadership, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega transformed this tragedy into a means of saving others. Under his direction, SPAC Nation launched Fico’s World Foundation, an initiative aimed at creating positive alternatives for youth in Croydon and preventing retaliation by Fico’s friends against his attackers.
In April 2018, following a church service, a peace rally was held, with thousands campaigning for change. SPAC Nation members and allies took to the streets to highlight efforts against gang violence and knife crime. One of their key initiatives was using music, notably “drill” music, a genre often associated with gangs and violence. They reclaimed and transformed it into “Gospel Drill,” spreading messages of hope, escape, and prosperity. The Hope Dealers popularized this genre, creating music that at first glance resembled what young people were used to, but upon closer listening, delivered a message of hope and salvation. Their work received national attention, including features in the BBC Three documentary Gangs, Drill & Prayer and an interview on Not For The Radio.
Later that year, a House of Commons report recognized SPAC Nation’s work as having a significant impact on reducing knife crime in Croydon, alongside other community outreach groups that helped deter at-risk individuals from falling into criminality.
Fast forward to 2020: SPAC Nation had since withdrawn its community initiatives from Croydon, and the cycle of violence resumed, with the borough once again dubbed the “knife crime capital” after five teenagers were stabbed to death that year alone. In the past four years, there have been 2,622 knife crime offenses in Croydon. This is a testament to the impact that community-led initiatives like Fico’s World Foundation by SPAC Nation can have in crime-ridden communities. The people reflect the state of their leadership – when governance is strong, the people thrive; when it falters, the people suffer.
