Summer update for Dulwich Wood

Hello everyone,

We wanted to provide a catch-up on what the Dulwich Wood Safer Neighbourhood Team has been working on over the last few months and share some important updates from across the ward.

Team Updates: 

Firstly, many residents may have noticed that PC Wake has been away from the ward for the last six weeks. During this time, she has been on attachment with a Counter Terrorism Search Team, supporting specialist policing operations across London. Following the completion of this attachment, PC Wake is now back on the ward and looking forward to getting fully involved again with local policing issues, community engagement, problem-solving and proactive patrols.

We would also like to say goodbye to PC Comfort, who left the team at the end of June after securing a new role with Transport for London (TfL). PC Comfort dedicated the last four years to serving the residents of Dulwich Wood and worked tirelessly to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and support vulnerable members of our community. We would like to thank him for his commitment and service and wish him every success in his new career. Work is underway to fill the vacancy, and we hope to welcome a replacement officer to the team as soon as possible.

At the beginning of June, we welcomed Sergeant May to the Dulwich Wood and Dulwich Village wards. Sergeant May has hit the ground running and has already become heavily involved in local policing priorities, supporting the team and helping drive proactive activities across both wards. We are pleased to have him leading neighbourhood policing efforts and working closely with residents and partner agencies.

Proactive Policing Activity

Despite staffing changes and abstractions, the team has continued to focus on tackling crime and identifying offenders operating across Dulwich Wood and neighbouring wards.

Recently, PC Wake, working alongside PC Spencer-Avison from Dulwich Village, conducted intelligence-led stop and search activity in the Herne Hill area. This operation focused on individuals suspected of involvement in offending affecting both Dulwich Wood and Dulwich Village. As a result, one individual was found in possession of Class A drugs and was subsequently arrested.

The close working relationship between Dulwich Wood and Dulwich Village teams continues to produce positive results. PC Wake and PC Spencer-Avison have also been working together to identify and gather evidence against several known nominals linked to burglary and shoplifting offences across neighbouring areas. This work is ongoing and aims to ensure offenders are identified, disrupted and brought before the courts wherever possible.

Developing Skills and Problem Solving

Neighbourhood policing is about much more than enforcement. A key part of our role is understanding the causes of local issues and working with partners to resolve them long-term.

To support this approach, PC Wake recently completed Behavioural Science Training within the Metropolitan Police Service, developing skills and techniques to better understand behaviour, improve problem-solving and support more effective neighbourhood interventions.

In addition, both PCSO Johnson and PCSO Mustafa have successfully completed neighbourhood policing and problem-solving training courses. This additional development will further strengthen the team's ability to identify recurring problems, use evidence-based approaches and work with partners to achieve sustainable solutions for residents.

Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Engagement

Anti-social behaviour remains one of the key concerns raised by residents, and both PCSOs have been working hard to address issues across the ward.

PCSO Johnson and PCSO Mustafa have been dealing with numerous reports of anti-social behaviour, ranging from nuisance gatherings and public disorder concerns to longer-term issues affecting local neighbourhoods. Work remains ongoing to identify those responsible and implement measures to prevent further disruption to residents.

The PCSOs have also increased their community engagement activities, carrying out more "Cuppa with a Copper" sessions, street briefings and face-to-face engagement opportunities. These events provide valuable opportunities for residents to speak directly with local officers, raise concerns and receive crime prevention advice.

We have seen positive attendance at these engagements and are pleased to confirm that many more events will be taking place over the coming months. We would encourage residents to attend where possible and continue sharing information and concerns with their local policing team.

School Patrols and Youth Safety

As schools approached the end of the summer term, neighbourhood officers carried out a significant number of patrols around schools, transport links and locations commonly used by young people.

These patrols were designed to provide reassurance, deter criminality and reduce opportunities for offences such as robbery, anti-social behaviour and theft. Supporting young people and ensuring they can travel safely to and from school remains a priority for the team, and we will continue to conduct patrols at key times whenever operational commitments allow.

Crime Update

Mobile Phone Theft

Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in mobile phone snatches, particularly around the Lordship Lane and Dulwich Common/College Road area.

These offences often occur very quickly and can leave victims feeling shocked and vulnerable. In response, the team will be increasing both uniform and plain-clothes patrols in affected areas, targeting offenders and identifying patterns of offending.

We would encourage residents to remain vigilant when using mobile phones in public, particularly when standing near the roadside or while walking with phones visible in hand.

Residential Burglary

There has also been an increase in residential burglaries, particularly around the Lordship Lane and Underhill Road areas.

Many of these offences are occurring during daytime hours when properties are temporarily unoccupied. We would encourage residents to ensure doors and windows are secured before leaving home, make use of alarms and CCTV where available and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Vehicle Crime

There have been several motor vehicle thefts reported across the ward during the last month, with mopeds and motorcycles being particularly targeted. We have also had one resident targeted twice within a month for the theft of their Lexus vehicle. It is believed that certain Lexus models are now being specifically targeted by organised criminals due to methods that can be used to gain access to and steal these vehicles using sophisticated electronic equipment.

Owners of Lexus vehicles are encouraged to consider additional security measures, including steering wheel locks, signal-blocking pouches for keyless entry fobs, trackers and parking in secure, well-lit locations wherever possible.

If you own a Lexus and would like further crime prevention advice or information on how to better protect your vehicle, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the Dulwich Wood Safer Neighbourhood Team. We are happy to provide tailored advice and discuss the latest theft methods being encountered across London.

Business Watch and Ward Business Engagement

We are also looking to strengthen our relationship with local businesses across Dulwich Wood by developing a formal Business Watch and Business Ward Panel that will meet on a quarterly basis, similar to the existing Ward Panel meetings for residents.

Local businesses play a vital role in our community and often have valuable insight into crime trends, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, theft, fraud and other issues affecting the area. We want to create a platform where businesses can regularly meet with local officers, share concerns, receive crime prevention advice and help shape local policing priorities.

Currently, we engage with a number of businesses across the ward, but our aim is to expand this significantly and ensure that businesses from all parts of Dulwich Wood have the opportunity to be involved. Whether you are a large organisation, independent retailer, café, restaurant, office, school, community venue or any other local business, we would like to hear from you.

Over the coming months, we will be spreading the word and formalising plans for the group. The intention is to create a sustainable and effective forum that encourages partnership working, improves information sharing and helps us collectively tackle the issues that matter most to local businesses.

If you own, manage or represent a business within the Dulwich Wood Ward and would be interested in becoming involved, please get in contact with the Dulwich Wood Safer Neighbourhood Team. We are keen to ensure that this represents the whole business community across the ward, rather than just a small number of businesses, and we would welcome your involvement from the outset.

Working together, we can help make Dulwich Wood an even safer place to live, work and visit.

Looking Ahead

We are now heading into what is traditionally a very busy summer period for policing across London. While police officers may occasionally be abstracted to support wider operational demands across the Metropolitan Police Service, please be reassured that PCSO Johnson and PCSO Mustafa remain highly visible within the ward and continue to provide support to residents on a daily basis.

The team remains committed to tackling crime, addressing anti-social behaviour, safeguarding vulnerable people and maintaining strong links with our communities. We will continue working closely with residents, local businesses, schools and partner agencies to make Dulwich Wood a safer place for everyone.

If you require crime prevention advice, wish to discuss concerns in your area or would like to speak with a member of the local neighbourhood team, please do not hesitate to get in touch or attend one of our upcoming engagement events.

Thank you for your continued support.