HOPES of London Road getting its own police station – a recommendation made in the wake of the riots – were ruled out by the borough's new commander this week.
But Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant did say he was talking to the council about the possibility of sharing small premises and was also increasing the number of police on the streets in the area.
Chief Supt Tarrant was urged by former judge William Barnett, who chaired the independent inquiry panel into the 2011 disorder, to look hard again at implementing a panel recommendation to open police bases in West Croydon and New Addington.
Mr Barnett raised the issue at a meeting on Tuesday, organised by Steve Reed, the MP for Croydon North, at the Croydon Voluntary Action headquarters in London Road.
The meeting was designed to examine the progress made in rebuilding Croydon after the devastating damage suffered on August 8, 2011.
Mr Barnett said: "We found there was a lot of protectionism in the area and we felt it was important that you have a police presence.
"I am quite certain that if you have a police station, manned by a considerable number of officers, it will have a deterrent effect."
He urged Chief Supt Tarrant to approach Met Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, to look again at the panel's recommendation.
Chief Supt Tarrant said it was his job to deliver the best possible police service for the borough – but didn't think a new station was the answer.
He said: "I have a limited budget and to have premises in London Road would be extremely expensive.
"I can't have expensive estate and the same number of police officers. Something would have to give."
He did, however, add he would be happy to look at Mr Barnett's suggestion and pointed out that in a month's time, the number of police on Croydon's streets would be back to pre-riot levels.
Chief Supt Tarrant said he believed the best solution was improving the visibility of police officers on the streets.
Opening the meeting, Mr Reed said many in the area still feel "let down" by a lack of progress since the riots.
Some traders were still facing problems with getting compensation for damage he said, adding: "We need to make sure that Croydon gets the support it needs to recover properly."
