They may not necessarily be from the neighbourhood.

A few years ago my husband got mugged at the top of Ackroyd by a bunch of youths with bats and on bikes. When we reported it to the police they said that they were riding up from Peckham.

They were opportunists as he was the only person walking down there at that time which is fairly unusual.

I hope this is a one off incident and that you're ok. Good to see the folk of HOP rallying around.