I've lived in Sydenham Park Road, just off Dartmouth Road, for 6 years or so, and never had any problems beyond the kind of thoughtless or antisocial behaviour you see everywhere.

I occasionally get irritated by a bit of noise at night, and we've had a pram nicked (though we were a bit stupid to leave it in the communal stairwell), and had a car wing mirror knocked off by p**sed-up kids, but nothing serious.

I've never felt threatened, although if i was at home i did used to escort my wife home from the station when she'd been out late, more because it's a nice thing to do than anything else. I've not heard of any safety concerns about Dartmouth Road at night.

I think it's a nice area; loads of parks, butcher, baker, fishmonger, greengrocer all nearby, a few decent independent shops on dartmouth road itself, with a swimming pool arriving soon and hopefully bringing further regeneration with it.

Don't worry, i'm sure you'll feel comfortable once you're here!