THE Whitgift Centre has become a 'safe haven' in hope of reassuring shoppers concerned by a double stabbing earlier this year.
Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were injured in a shocking late afternoon attack in the busy shopping complex on January 14.
Now three areas of the shopping centre have been designated CitySafe Havens, where people can go for help if they are in danger.
Manager Andrew Bauer agreed to involve the Whitgift Centre in the scheme after being approached by young people representing Citizens UK, which has set up similar areas elsewhere in Croydon.
The visit convinced him that, while such incidents are rare, some people - particularly younger customers - are concerned the Whitgift Centre is unsafe.
He said: "It was because they were so forthright and committed that I thought, if they have these concerns, let's do something about it.
"The stabbing was the first incident of its type in the last seven years, but there was quite an adverse reaction to it, particularly among young people.
"It made me realise we need to reassure people by making it clear there are places they can go for help it they need it."
The agreement means that Sainsbury's, the help desk near Whitgift Square and the reception at Centre Tower are now CitySafe Havens.
Anyone feeling unsafe can go to these areas, marked with the distinctive CitySafe logo, to talk to a member of staff and then immediately be taken to a safe place.
"We used to have the ability to come to someone's aid from the help desk but it wasn't a formalised procedure" said Mr Bauer.
"Now if people are feeling unsafe they can go to three set places and we will look after them.
"If there are people who felt uneasy after what happened in January then I hope this will put their minds at rest. Knowing there's a route out of danger takes the fear away."
Coulsdon College student Ismael Musoke, 18, was one of eight young people who convinced Mr Bauer to sign up.
"The stabbings affected how young people felt about being in the Whitgift Centre," he said. "I definitely felt less safe.
"Making a shop or public building a 'safe haven' means people know that, if they are in trouble, they can trust the person to help them out.
"It's also about being part of a community. It builds relationships between young people and businesses. There can't be all this tension, all this crime, where there's a strong community."
The Whitgift Centre is the latest business in Croydon to sign up to CitySafe Havens, following Tesco in Thornton Heath and House of Reeves furniture store. Citizens UK wants council buildings to be involved too.
Two brothers, aged 14 and 15, were charged with grievous bodily harm following the shopping centre attack. They are due to stand trial at Croydon Crown Court on June 30.
Ismael added: "If the Whigift Centre had been a CitySafe Haven at the time, that incident may not have happened. The people involved would not have been so bold.
"The fear would have been in them that their victims could easily have gone to a shop, call the police and they could get in trouble."
The injured teenagers, one of whom suffered a punctured kidney, were two of nine people injured by knives in Croydon in January, the highest figure in London.
