Police have changed the way they work in the community following negative coverage in the wake of the riots.

Anger and resentment at police tactics such as stop and search and lack of accountability was a major factor cited in the aftermath of the rioting with the spark of the death of Mark Duggan in Tottenham seen as a powerful motive.

In response the police have employed two officers dedicated to working within Croydon communities to gauge public opinion, while working with young people to bring about a major change in police stop and search methods.

Acting borough commander Rob Atkin denies there is a hatred of police in Croydon but stressed work was being done to improve relations in certain communities.

He said: "We have been working tirelessly in the community. We have introduced a stop and search monitor group and they provide feedback on the way this method could be improved. The quality of a persons encounter with the police is extremely important and something we take extremely serious."

By using more intelligence based stop and searches, the police has increased its success rate, where an illegal item is discovered, from about seven per cent to 19 per cent.

Acting borough commander Atkin said: "Gauging public opinion of the police is never an exact science but one indication is there has been a reduction of complaints made against officers. We carry out quality call back to speak to victims of crime about their experience and have an 80 per cent satisfaction rate."