The image of Dulwich as a leafy and pleasant living environment is a seductive one and for most residents largely true. However, attendance at two recent meetings of the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (which consist of police, councillors, neighbourhood watch group representatives and other community activists) has shown that in some parts of Dulwich, this is not always an accurate picture.
Low Cross Wood Lane runs through the Dulwich Woods from College Road up to Crescent Wood Road. It is a very steep slope and is used extensively by residents in Great Brownings, Peckarmans Wood, Woodsyre, and the many other people who live off Sydenham Hill, as a short cut to/from their trains at Sydenham Hill Station.
Earlier last year it suffered a serious crime wave. People were mugged, during the evening and the day, school children were hassled, and stones were thrown at windows of the houses that border the upper parts of the Lane. The police were alerted to the ongoing problem through the Safer Neighbourhood Team and had some success in catching the perpetrators, but local residents lobbied for more to be done to make the lane safer for the longer term.
Following a detailed inspection by crime prevention officers, and a report prepared by members of local neighbourhood watch groups, Southwark Councillors have been active in securing improved lighting (due to be installed in March) and there are other possibilities that could be funded through the Council’s Safer Cleaner Greener funding. Many residents also feel that the Dulwich Estate could also have been more proactive in pruning overgrown vegetation and removing graffiti.
Further north, in Village Ward, statistics show that some crimes, particularly robbery, are much higher than the Southwark average (and indeed the London-wide average) - mugging for mobile phones in or near the Park seem to be the main reason. Again the Safer Neighbourhood Team has prioritised the local beat team who have achieved good results.
Every ward has its own Safer Neighbourhood Team and they need committed volunteers to participate. They are actively seeking involvement from all members of the community whether they are young or old, owner occupiers or social housing tenants. They offer genuine opportunities for public participation and a real opportunity to make a difference in the local community.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 02:28