Dulwich Newsletter
Phases
Dulwich Newsletter 2025/26 Q3
Dear Dulwich residents,
We are delighted to bring you the first quarterly edition of the Dulwich Neighbourhood Newsletter. Every three months, we will share local news, council updates, and opportunities to get involved in shaping your community.
Community safety and support
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): Hotspots and actions taken
Ward
Number of incidents in Q1
Top 3 reasons
Dulwich Village
46
Rowdy Or Inconsiderate Behaviour
Rowdy / Nuisance Neighbours
Neighbour dispute
Noise
Dulwich wood
54
Rowdy Or Inconsiderate Behaviour
Trespass
Threatening Behaviour
We work with residents to make sure we respond quickly to ASB concerns. We use data to understand where hotspots are occurring and deploy wardens, our new nighttime uniformed patrol service, ccctv monitoring and work closely with the police in high problem areas. Thank you to residents for reporting concerns.
Crime and policing: Hotspot updates and police response
Ward
Number of incidents in Q1
Top 3 Reasons
Dulwich Village
176
Theft,
Vehicle Offences, and
Violence Against the Person
Dulwich wood
162
Violence Against the person, Theft, and
Vehicle Offences
Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
Safety is a fundamental need for all residents. However, our residents, particularly women, LGBTQ+ communities, black communities, and young people, have expressed fears about their safety in public spaces, on the streets, and within their homes. Therefore, concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour remain a top priority for Southwark.
We know from research that about half of ASB goes unreported, so we want to hear from you and encourage residents to report if there are experiencing crime and / or ASB
Details of how to report crime and Antisocial behaviour can be found here.
Report an antisocial behaviour incident | Southwark Council
Report a crime | Metropolitan Police
A key strand of the Southwark 2030 vision is safety, with it being one of the highest priority issues for Southwark residents. In response we are commissioning a new Night time Uniformed Patrol Service that will work 7 days a week, from 6pm-2am. They will enhance our current Community Warden Service provision in addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime by providing a reassuring uniformed patrol presence on the estates, streets, parks, and open spaces in Southwark, addressing concerns of ASB and crime through targeted operations and patrols in areas of most need.
Increasing trust and confidence
Southwark established a Policing Oversight Board in November 2024 with the aim of having oversight of our local Borough Command Unit (BCU) Trust and Confidence Plan. This plan is aligned with the recommendations of the Casey report and cuts across the different strands of policing. The aim of the plan is to ensure communities feel listened to, are informed and are treated with respect and fairness.
The Board comprises of eight independent members with a range of specialisms, interests and lived experiences.
In April 2025 the Board held its first meeting in public at Walworth Town Hall and the priority area of focus was Engagement. The police set out their intent;
Our purpose is to strengthen the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the communities we serve, by fostering more trust, achieving less crime, and delivering higher standards through meaningful and lasting engagement.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in public space
Safe havens | Southwark Council
You can view and sign up to all the self-defence class here: Sign up here
VAWG action days
We’re delivering a series of VAWG Action Days in identified hotspots in the borough, this includes a community engagement stall to raise awareness of VAWG issues and how to keep safe, including the distribution of FREE personal panic alarms.
We’re also working closely with licensed premises and will be distributing anti-spiking kits as well discussing women’s safety initiatives such as Ask For Angela and promoting sign up to the Southwark Safe Havens Scheme, and the Women’s Night Safety Charter.
Women’s self-defence sessions
We’re delivering a series of free women’s self-defence sessions across the borough. These sessions are open to women aged 18+ living in Southwark. Each session can accommodate 20 participants and is designed to equip women with practical techniques to prevent and defend against threats, improving confidence and safety.
Free Women's Self Defence Sessions in Southwark | Eventbrite
Robbery/ phone thefts
Southwark continues to face challenges linked to robbery, theft, and mobile phone snatching, with particular hotspots around transport hubs, retail areas, and busy high streets. Targeted policing and partnership activity is being delivered across key neighbourhoods to enhance safety, deter offending, and reassure local communities.
Safe havens
Safe havens are places of temporary refuge where a vulnerable person can be supported, on their onward journey. We currently have 31 venues operating as Safe Havens in the borough.
- Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8NB
Graffiti: Hotspots, removals, prevention initiatives
Ward
Number of incidents in Q1
Hot Spots
Actions taken
Dulwich Village
27
Croxted Road, Dulwich Common, and East Dulwich Grove
The Council currently spends c£700K a year removing graffiti from Council and private property, both pro-actively and in response to service requests. The Council is committed to tackling graffiti and provides a free graffiti removal service for private property owners, where the graffiti is publicly visible and up to 2.5 metres above ground level. To access this free service, the Council requires the property owner to sign a consent form. Where an owner fails to sign a consent form, the Council will issue a ’21-day’ management notice, which requires the owner to either remove the graffiti themselves; or sign the form and allow the Council to. Where a property owner fails to comply with the notice, after 21 days from the date of issue, the Council will remove the graffiti and potentially recharge the owner. The Councill has embarked on a three year programme of graffiti and fly posting management action, targeting town centre ‘hot spot’ locations with sustained ‘blitz’ removal action and follow up ‘design out’ measures. These measures include installing trellis with planters and commissioning murals to physically deter/ prevent the graffiti from re-occurring.
Dulwich wood
17
Sydenham Hill and Gipsy Hill
Fly-Tipping: Hotspots, clean-ups and enforcement
Ward
Number of incidents in Q1
Hot Spots
Actions taken
Dulwich Village
58
East Dulwich Grove
Stradella Road
Woodwarde Road
Burbage Road
Half Moon Lane
The Council currently spends c£600K a year removing street fly tipping, both pro-actively and in response to service requests. Where there is potential evidence to identify an offender, the Council will investigate and take appropriate enforcement action, including issuing fixed penalty notices (£1,000 maximum fine level) and pursuing prosecutions. The Council is committed to tackling fly tipping, using a combination of community engagement, education and enforcement action; and ‘design out’ prevention measures. In support of this commitment, the Councill has embarked on a three year rolling programme of targeted action to tackle the Borough’s fly tipping ‘hot spot’ street and estate locations. This includes investing in additional enforcement officers and re-deployable CCTV cameras and embarking on a long-term behaviour change campaign, including use of ‘crime tape/ stickers’ and educational videos.
Dulwich wood
43
Dulwich Wood Avenue
Peckarmans Wood
Farquhar Road
Sydenham Hill
Parks, leisure and environment
Parks and playgrounds
Repairs, upgrades and new equipment
All significant repairs identified in our annual independent safety review have been completed in a number of our parks playgrounds. Minor repairs will be completed during this autumn.
A project to upgrade some of the play equipment and surfacing at Dulwich Park Playground is in progress.
Biodiversity schemes: Local enhancement projects
This year, we have continued to implement reduced mowing regimes across selected parks and green spaces around the borough. Allowing grasses and wildflowers to grow supports pollinators and other wildlife and aligns with the council’s nature recovery ambitions.
A new “Wood Meadow” will be created in the northern end of Belair Park, comprising of a mosaic of habitats, including woodland, meadow and wetland scrapes. A new accessible footway will be installed through the site, improving access to nature for park-users.
Leisure centres
Leisure Facilities in Southwark – Raising Heart Rates in Southwark
Tree planting
Autumn is when the council starts its tree planting programme. Over the summer we purchased the tree selection to be planted and appointed the contractors to plant the trees. Planting will continue through winter and Spring.
How to find out where trees are being planted by the council in your area;
- Click on the link Spectrum Spatial
- Go to map layers (on the right hand side menu)
- Scroll down to ‘Highways (Confirm) Assets’
- Scroll down the proposed new tree planting and select
This map will show you the proposed tree planting sites for 2025/26 planting season (Nov to Mar)
If you have any further question please email the tree team at Trees.Envl@southwark.gov.uk
Culture and Events: Upcoming activities for families and residents
Southwark Presents | Southwark Council
Our Projects | OneHub Southwark
Dulwich Picture Gallery are delivering their Out of the Frame project, which aims to increase the visibility of queer friendly programming across the gallery exhibitions and expanded gardens. Activities in September and October included targeted events, such as visitor tours exploring queer history of the gallery and workshops co-programmed with Southwark-based LGBTQI+ groups.
Kingswood library
Kingswood Library art and nature project
Oxford Brooks University and Southwark libraries are working together to deliver a project called ‘Our Caring World Through Art’ at Kingswood Library, from the autumn until the summer 2026. Funded by European Funding the project aims to engage children in learning about their local area. Involvement from the Libraries Heritage team will provide children with knowledge of their local area, nature and art. Local school children from Dulwich Wood Primary School and families will be encouraged to participate in this opportunity.
Dulwich library
Dulwich Library refurbishment
Commencing in December a full refurbishment of Dulwich library will be taking place. This will include a new lighting and heating system contributing towards Southwark’s greener buildings commitment. The refurbishment will also provide a newly designed library layout in the children’s area, adults area, reception and study space. The library will be closed for approximately 6 months with expended provision at nearby libraries in Nunhead, Grove Vale and Kingswood:
- There will be an additional 40 hours of opening time in total at Kingswood, Nunhead & Grove Vale. These will be advertised on the library website pages shortly. These libraries will be able to run additional storytimes and reading groups etc.
- We have relocated the Dulwich health kiosk to Nunhead library so it can be used there by customers whilst Dulwich closed.
- We are exploring options of using local St Thomas More church and/or Kingswood House for additional activity (such as warm hubs, study space etc).
- Gove Vale library meeting room will also be used for additional study space.
- There will be outreach activity at Barry House – specifically for refugees and asylum seekers.
- We are scoping expansion of home library service for any vulnerable people in Dulwich area.
- We are liaising with Dulwich Wood children and family hub for additional outreach activity.
The libraries have a full range of events and activities for children and adults: Library activities for children | Southwark Council Library activities for adults | Southwark Council
Southwark Presents | Southwark Council
Full details of the wide range of services provided Southwark libraries: Libraries | Southwark Council
Youth and play service
In the Dulwich neighbourhood there are following council funded youth and play projects:
- Belair Youth Project: council-run weekly youth project running out of the Recreation Room at Belair Park.
- Kingswood Arts: an independent organisation delivering arts-focused community activities from the Kingswood House
Waste and street care
- Check your waste collection days: Refuse and recycling schedules - Southwark Council
- Book a bulky waste collection: Bulky Waste Collection - Southwark Council
- Report a missed bin collection: Missed Collection - Southwark Council
- Reuse and recycling centre information: Southwark Reuse and Recycling Centre | Southwark Council
- Autumn leaf clearance schedule: Autumn leaf collection | Southwark Council
- Gritting: https://services.southwark.gov.uk/street-care/gritting
Transport and infrastructure
Highways consultations
CPZ updates & links to feedback surveys
EV charging points
New installations across wards
Dulwich Village: 159 EV chargers installed
Dulwich Wood: 68 EV chargers installed
Cycle hangars
Rollout progress & future plans
Dulwich Village: 20 cycle hangers installed
Dulwich Wood: 18 cycle hangers installed
Current surveys and consultations
Visit Dulwich Engage webpage for full details and to get involved in your neighbourhood - https://engage.southwark.gov.uk/en-GB/folders/dulwich-neighbourhood-engage-southwark-page
Contact details: Fitzroy Lewis, Dulwich and East Dulwich Neighbourhood Officer
Email: Fitzroy.Lewis@southwark.gov.uk
Please contact us if you would like to be added to our mailing list.
Streets for People
Streets for People delivery plan launched in July 2023 provides information on how feedback from our largest consultation, with over 9,000 responses will help shape the future of Southwark.
Key prioritisation
Streets for communities
Reclaiming spaces for our communities, to connect, socialise and play.
Streets for journeys
Making healthy travel choices, safer, easier, and quicker
Streets for economy
Helping Town Centres run better and sustainably, creating quality spaces where people want to spend time.
Streets for nature
Cleaning our air, reducing impact of climate change, increasing biodiversity, making streets greener and more resilient to extreme weather.
Comms and Engagement events took place across this Neighbourhood in October 2025. People were invited to various events, from in person workshops, to neighbourhood walks and bike rides to gather further information on how Southwark can promote active travel, reduce emissions and create more space for public use. Feedback once analysed and will be shared with staff working across projects and schemes to agree next steps. For more information, please see link below