Steve O'Connell has been a Croydon Councillor for Kenley since 2002 and has represented Croydon and Sutton as GLA Member at City Hall since 2008. Steve is a South Londoner who studied at Brockley Grammar School and who is a lifelong Crystal Palace supporter and is a Trustee of Palace for Life Charitable Foundation. An animal lover, he Chairs his local RSPCA Committee and is an animal welfare advocate. Steve is a Trustee of the Kenley Memorial Hall, Chairs the Kenley Ward Police Panel, sits on the local RAFA Cttee and is a Trustee of Purley Youth Project. He has a particular interest in crime and safety, plus community cohesion as well as protecting our environment and green spaces. He is also a firm advocate for social mobility and encourages the development of young people. He was appointed as a non-executive adviser for neighbourhoods for the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in October 2012, and now Chairs the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee.