This is very sad. Hope the Police arrested the one caught on camera and put an end to this thugery.

Please can I strongly advise all residents to contact the safer neighbourhood team (see web address below with details) if they notice anything suspicious or in an emergency dial 999. As many people on this forum have already mentioned the police won't know what is going on, without us letting them know.

http://www.met.police.uk/teams/lewisham/.../index.php

As far as I remember there is a lot of CTTV cameras at the stretch of London Rd covering Santander and Wetherspoon's.
One wonders why they have not be caught.

Just responding back to the original post.

I've lived in the area for a year but talking to neighbours who have been here longer, those kids have been a problem for years in particular the one lad who lives on the road has been troublesome since a young age and basically runs riot when he's with his mates. I've watched him attack our shop/ shopkeeper a dozen times and too received a letter from the met.

Tonight I watched them harrass a man on Siddons road and the police later came, so I hope that one day something happens, those kids are a nightmare and makes me so angry watching them. It'll get worse during the summer months and lighter evenings, it did last year.

I also nearly got mugged down that alley that connects sunderland road to shipman road but luckily ran off unscathed and still with handbag. Although the guy was wearing a hood and all in black, I don't think he is part of that group.

Sje1,

Is the lad you're referring to, White, skinny with mousey blonde hair?

If he an obvious trouble maker why has he not be sorted out by the authorities. I know we have to be nice to criminals but this is beyond the pale.

Report every instance of bother to the police, enough reporting from enough people and they will act.

SJE1 - was this recently that you were nearly mugged?

The reason that alley way is ideal for mugging is that if offers 2 escape routes. For example if the police car comes up Sunderland then they can run down Trilby road. Or vice versa of course

@Herbert..he is tall, white and skinny but his hair is close shaven, probably blondish mousey, he permanently looks like he's about to kick off at someone..screwed up face & all..!

@SillyTilly, it was in January..happened about 7pm on a thurs night . I called the police and they were excellent. Problem is with that alley is that yes, it offers 2 escape routes but a perfect mugging spot esp at dark as its not overlooked, apart from being next to the school but obv there are only so many times in the day when the playground is occupied.

I have only recently moved here but I finish work late and often have to walk up london road from the station at around 10pm. I have noticed on a number of occasions a group of youths on bikes hanging around outside witherspoons or near the subway/betting shop at the station-not being paranoid they made me feel (as a lone female) very edgy. Having been mugged in the past (knocked to the ground from behind on that occasion)
I didnt feel happy walking past them.
I was going to post here and ask if anyone else had noticed them also but
did'nt until I read this post because I didnt want to appear like a paranoid
nutter!:Glad I'm not alone in my unease though!
BTW I have mainly noticed them on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Nottinghill
A friend of mine got mugged by persons loitering around on bikes in the places you mentioned. They followed him to Dacres Road which is where he was mugged. They followed me once but I gave them the slip and called the police. I suggest you get a mini cab home if it looks too risky

This has been mentioned before and something should be done. Suggesting someone gets a mini cab if it is 5 days a week , is very expensive.

You should be able to feel safe on the Queen's Highway. This is a major road and the Police should be arresting these criminals and throwing away the key.

I would love to be able to get a mini cab back from the tube, but sadly I'm a shop worker and not a banker so it is'nt an option.
The guys in question are certainly menacing, not least because there are a group of them sat on bikes on the pavement.

By way of a suggestion, if you are walking home and feel threatened take out your mobile, dial 99 and keep your finger near the last 9. Should something happen you are then not fumbling around pockets/bags etc.

Remember, if you feel threatened it is beter to take action by calling the police than to be calling the police to report you have been mugged.

Trilby Rd, Cibber Rd, Vestris Rd, Farren Rd, and Shipman Rd form a strange warren of roads that are possibly harder to police - plus the lack of road access to Sunderland Rd does not help.

It is very odd how this should come about - does anyone know?
Even the old map of 1799 shows a prototype Vancouver Rd cutting through the stansted Rd/Perry Vale/Catford Hill triangle in an orderly way, seemingly headed to directly link up with London Rd on the other side, only to be brought to a sudden dead end just about where this knot of roads is today.
Curious.
1799

There is a very modest bid to the Perry Vale Ward Assembly from the SNT for a security mirror, which should help. The voting is this Thursday, so come along to Forest Hill School at 7.00 pm

I think at the end you mean 'subjecting them to the due process of the criminal law system'.

We are working on the assumption that they arrest the guilty persons.