I have to say such heresay reports of crimes associated with particular businesses, whether it be Tesco (which was provoked by a police armed response team) or LA Fitness (of which I have seen no previous reports on this forum or Sydneham), do nothing to encourage people to shop and exercise locally.

It is such use of freedom of speech that has put off many shop owners from joining our discussions and I know a number who feel upset by the things said about their businesses on the forum in the past.

I don't want everybody to confine their comments to "isn't Forest Hill a wonderful place and nothing bad ever happens", but I think we should show some responsibility for what we say and avoid exaggerating things for which we have little evidence. And I hope that my comments are not seen as a personal attack on anybody, just a general observation on a number of recent postings.