Four pirate radio masts dismantled in Croydon

ILLEGAL BROADCASTING STATIONS HAVE RETURNED TO BOROUGH IN RECENT YEARS

- By HARRISON GALLIVEN Local democracy reporter

discovered in a number of Croydon Council properties last year, including 55-133 College Green

(LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTING SERVICE)

A RISE in pirate radio masts uncovered across Croydon last year has been revealed through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

While the overall number of pirate masts remains relatively low, the LDRS identified a cluster of illegal installations on council-owned properties in the north of the borough, as well as a separate mast discovered in New Addington, at the southern edge of Croydon.

Here is a breakdown of the dates and locations of masts found in 2025:

■283-321 Church Road, Upper Norwood - removed on Wednesday 29 January 2025

■56a-76d Chertsey Crescent, New Addington - removed on Wednesday 28 May 2025

■1-15 Essex Court, Upper Norwood - removed on Friday 13 June 2025

■55-133 College Green, Upper Norwood - removed on Tuesday 5 August 2025

Each removal involved council officers working alongside Ofcom and the police.

Concerns were raised about Windmill Bridge House in Addiscombe after the Metropolitan Police reported a possible pirate radio station on November 7, 2025. However, an investigation found no illegal broadcasts or equipment, a finding later confirmed by Ofcom.