Neighbourhood Newsletter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Dear Old Kent Road residents, 

We are delighted to bring you the first quarterly edition of the Old Kent Road Neighbourhood Newsletter. Every three months, we will share local news, council updates, and opportunities to get involved in shaping your community. 

Free sewing classes for all ages – Faith Women Community UK 

Join expert led sewing classes for creative fun and community connection. Boost your creativity, skills and confidence. Every Wednesday 11am - 2pm and Saturday 12pm – 2pm at ASCO Hall, 375 Old Kent Road SE1 5JQ 

Astley & Cooper’s estate senior citizen’s afternoon tea 

Breaking barriers of isolation and loneliness, promoting healthy lifestyle. Come and have a chat and make new friends! 

For more information Contact: Haija Saidat 07780383563 

Free graphiti club @ The Arts Yard – Livesey Exchange 

Youths 10+ every other Wednesday starting 1st October 2025 3:30pm – 5pm (must be accompanied by an adult) 

Adults 18+ every other Wednesday starting 1st October 2025 6pm – 8pm  

Venue: Livesey Exchange 2, 567 Old Kent Rd, London SE1 5EW, UK 

Glengall Wharf Garden – gardening activities 

Forest Garden Fridays - Every Friday, 12pm to 4pm 

Food Growing Sessions - Every Wednesday 3.30pm to 7.30pm, Every Saturday, 12pm – 4pm 

Open Volunteer Sessions - Every Sunday, 12pm to 4pm 

All events are free and take place at Glengal Wharf Garden, London, SE15 6NF 

National Lottery awards for All England 

Open to all types of voluntary or community organisation, as well as CICs and not for profit companies. Funding for community based projects that aim to: 

• bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities 
• improve the places and spaces that matter to communities 
• help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage 
• support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis 

For more details: National Lottery Awards for All England | The National Lottery Community Fund 

Community safety and support 

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): Hotspots and actions taken 

Ward 

Number of incidents in Q1 

Top Three reasons 

Actions taken 

Old Kent Road 

196 

Rowdy Or Inconsiderate Behaviour 

Harassment 

Rowdy / Nuisance Neighbours 

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 Three reasons 

Old Kent Road 

484 

Theft, 

Violence against the Person, 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 

Spiking | Southwark Council 

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. 

• All libraries in Southwark are designated as Safe Havens 

Graffiti: Hotspots, removals, prevention initiatives

Ward 

Number of incidents in Q1 

Hot Spots 

Actions taken 

Old Kent Road 

59 

Commercial Way 

Peckham Hill Street 

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.   

Fly-Tipping: Hotspots, clean-ups and enforcement

Ward 

Number of incidents in Q1 

Top Three reasons 

Actions taken 

Old Kent Road 

124 

Ilderton Road 

Glengall Road 

Old Kent Road 

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.   

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 this autumn. 

Bramcote Park (north side) will undergoing a full refurbishment during the winter 2025/26. 

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. . 

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; 

1. Click on the link Spectrum Spatial
2. Go to map layers (on the right hand side menu)
3. Scroll down to ‘Highways (Confirm) Assets’
4. 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 

event proforma.docx

Youth and play service

In the Old Kent Road neighbourhood there are following council funded youth and play projects: 

• New Venture Youth Centre: Council-run youth centre open Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 6:30 until 9pm 3.  

• 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 

Highways consultations

CPZ updates & links to feedback surveys

Road resurfacing

Avondale Square

EV charging points

New installations across wards 

Old Kent Road: 96 EV chargers installed 

Cycle hangars

Rollout progress & future plans 

Old Kent Road: 38 

New playground equipment

Setchell estate children's play area, Enid Street ballcourt barrier, Kintore Way nursery playground area revamp, Manor Estate ball court upgrades 

Visit Old Kent Road Engage webpage for full details and to get involved in your neighbourhood - Old Kent Road neighbourhood | London Borough of Southwark 

Contact details: Danielle Simpson, Borough and London Bridge and Old Kent Road Neighbourhood Officer 

Email: Danielle.Simpson@southwark.gov.uk   

Please contact us if you would like to be added to our mailing list. 

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 

Streets for People | Southwark Council