I'm glad I live in a country where the police alone do not have the right to 'throw away the key'. Or, for that matter, decide whether someone is guilty.

So am I.

Hooray! After lots of emails to various different people it seems they have FINALLY listened and cut back the tree that was overhanging one of the street lights (making it useless) in the alleyway... could just be a coincidence as they are doing some work next door to the alleyway but who cares, at least it's been done!

That was annoying me too....I called the council two weeks ago and they "happily" agreed to come and do the work. Was amazed that I got such a quick response!

Vixy - they probably realised that it was actually a problem if more than one person was hassling them. Thanks for contacting them as well!

hi there
do you live on Trilby Road
if so I am the neighbour hood watch coordinator, but I could poosibly help even if you dont please feel free to contact me and when I have meetings I will let you know
this also give you a chance to let me know of things happening in trilby and surrounding roads.
there was recently a meeting to try and get a mirror put at the top of the alley ..this has now been approved .
Susan

I do not live in the area now;I was once in Trilby near the Tennis Courts. No such experiences then. I can contribute because where I live way south out of it,there has been a similar rampage late at night. Shocked residents called for a town hall meeting with police. I must take care not to attribute the same causes but one component seems to be an outcome. It is between the police and school liason officers
re any very young teens getting caught up with the older braggarts who are more criminally orientated in spirit(at least this). There will be more window breaks before a solution I would thin so hold onto your hats. Their idea is to start a mini terror campaign using only a few older types with some kartel in schools somewhere in the area. It may even be the case that way into town they gravitate away from a pub area and get alcohol somehow. It should be the job of the police to take the panda search to these pubs and offlicences and watch for these developments as well. Where maybe it is different is that you have fences and where I was a new fence required. Police had to chase them but with an obstruction they cannot get away so quickly.
I always thought that a key was required to get through from Sunderland to Trilby? Its so long ago now.

I went through the "tunnel of terror" four time last week. There was no problem

I go through 10 times a week. Have seen youths hanging about on a couple of occasions.

Mind you, when I was 16, I was hanging about in a pedestrian subway drinking Woodpecker and doing graphitti & trying to breakdance. We wasn't trying to mug anyone though.

My main fear before the railings were put up was being hit by a football from the green space.

HI , sillytilly I am having a neighbour hood watch meeting this thurs 7th July at 7pm if you want to come, though primarily for Trilby road you could still come if there are things you want to talk to NW Police about...

Anybody else notice how the alleyway between Tribly Road and Sunderland Road has become a bigger mess than usual recently?

There appears to be some old fella who seems to stop for a fag every 10 yards that sweeps up round the station every morning, but it's been about 6 weeks since the alley has been swept up.

Current filth includes a cardboard box ripped to shreds, 6 or so obligatory fast food chicken boxes, about 20 cans, a few dozen sweet wrappers, a child's bright yellow playground slide and a selection of clothing duped at each end. A pair of jeans looked like they may have been quite new. Perhaps someone is dumping the loot.

Who do I call or email?

On the subject of alleys, does anyone know what that plant is that is emerging at the end of the alleyway between Cranston and Vancouver Roads? Is it sprouting Japanese Knotweed?

You can report it on http://www.lovelewisham.org under the category of flytipping. They are pretty good about dealing with reports.

Done.

Thanks Michael.

Hello, I am thinking of moving to the area and was wondering if there have been any changes to the situation with anti-social behaviour in the Trilby/Vestris area?

I don't want to move to an area where I feel intimidated walking around or unsafe coming home late at night. Thank you.

Hello,

I live on Vestris Road and I walk along that pathway twice a day. I am female and have never had any problems nor seen any problems in the two years I have lived here. I love it here- we moved from another part of Forest Hill and feel like we have stepped back in time (in a good way!)- we know all the neighbours, and I feel safe and happy.

Please don't worry-I am sure that anywhere in London has problems of some kind or another but as a Londoner born and bred and having lived all over, this is where I want to be.

Hope that helps and good luck with whatever decision you make.

RJames - in my view (and I accept that every view is subjective), you have nothing to be worried about. I walk/cycle along this section of road every evening and, the occasional smart alec comment from teenagers aside, I've never felt threatened or unsafe.

It's a fairly well trodden path too and it's rare that you'd be the only person walking home along that road.

I've lived on Trilby Road for nine years. I moved in with my then 11 and 16 year old daughters following my divorce. It was my first time living alone so I chose Forest Hill as a safe area.

My own carelessness allowed opportune thieves into my home, a lesson learnt, but apart from that I've not encountered any problems. I walk through the alley twice a day and never had a problem. The young men that sometimes hover don't bother me,
It's a lovely area, I don't intend selling up any time soon.

RJames,

I have never had any problem in this alleyway.

You could plan your journey to go through with other people.

Thanks everyone for your comments. The details about the local hoodlum attacking the shopkeeper and harassing a person in the street worried me.

I know these kind of problems can pop up anywhere but I grew up in a provincial town blighted by this kind of behaviour by a small number of people and it is something that makes me very uncomfortable.