Hi FireSnake, sorry for the delay with this post, tried to post on the day you first posted but my message went to drafts, inadvertently. I live on Siddons Road, which runs parallel to Normanton down to Perry Vale. Have been here since 2008. It's me, my wife and our toddler in our home. I have never seen or heard anything in the area that makes me concerned about my family's personal safety. Occasionally as you may have seen on this forum comments are raised about the cut-through from Shipman to Sunderland Road, but this is fairly muted (IMO). I personally do not think the alleyway presents genuine risk. I seem to recall a few months ago there was concern raised after stones were thrown at a SE23.com user when using the cut-through. Unpleasant and far from social behaviour that this was - I think it fell within the "petty irritation of city life" category, much like graffiti and littering -than anything more sinister. Others may of course disagree. The main park in the area is Mayow - I do not have a dog so am not part of the dog owner community. I do note that there are often dogs walked there that might fall under the (much derided) Dangerous Dogs Act. In the main I think that these are kept on the lead. Some are muzzled. Occasionally some are allowed to run free. This is something that mildly concerns me - particularly when I am with my toddler - but there has never been an incident as a result of this. I am not in a position to offer any insight with regard to homophobia. Generally I am very happy in the area. The Perry Vale parade is functional and pleasant. The Bakers at the foot of Siddons is a particularly welcome new addition. The dry cleaners is reasonably priced, and, being a lazy so and so, I always take my shirts there for washing and pressing. In all you will find this part of FH very pleasant. Recommended.