Young people think Croydon is a “diamond in the rough” and has a “welcoming community” despite it having a “negative reputation” in the eyes of people who aren’t from the area.

The Safer Croydon Partnership has teamed up with charity Lives not Knives to produce a short video on what young people think of Croydon.

It was shot in a range of locations around the borough focusing on people aged 17 to 22.

One man in the video said: “Croydon is a diamond in the rough because to people who aren’t from here it has such a negative reputation but growing up here I know it is a place with a lot of talent and potential.”

Another said Croydon is “good for jobs” and is a “very multicultural place”.

The three- minute video aims to encourage people of all ages to have their say on the area they live in, work in, or are visiting.

Eliza Rebeiro, founder of Lives not Knives, said: “This video shows young people speaking honestly about their home town, and the place where they work and study.

“We want to build on these comments and get people of all ages and backgrounds to tell us how they feel about Croydon so we can strengthen our community’s voice.”

Croydon Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice, said: “These comments challenge the perception that young people don’t take pride in their borough.

“We want to encourage everyone to tell us how they feel about Croydon – in a few words, and how safe they feel in the borough.”

To join the conversation tweet comments, pictures and videos to @yourcroydon and @livesnotknives