Otto2

yes...

I have an extremely severe death-in-ten-minutes allergy to certain nuts. TBH it is not that huge of an issue - I'm still alive and dine out all the time. I'd recommend Thai Corner, Franklins, and many other local places. I'd say big chains are actually worse than small businesses, as small businesses often have staff that stays longer, and, are more up to speed on ingredients. Just ask and let them know. The begging bowl is probably the restaurant that wins on nut allergy awareness locally. Not locally, St. Leonards is awesome and also has "special measures" in place if you announce an allergy AND is probs the best food in London by miles.

The note from the school suggested the children walk in pairs or groups, go to nearby shops if they can for help, hand over phones, bikes, etc if confronted. The letter also mentioned the school has been shown photographs of specific individuals to look out for. It seems the police response/visibility on this is really high and that helps. One of my sons was mugged in Dulwich Park with his mate a year ago - he did not have a phone on him and felt more vulnerable as he had nothing to hand over and they wanted to search him. He handed over his bike instead - the charming thugs eventually dumped it as it was a tiny lame bike. I'd say have your kids carry a phone (but do not use it overtly - I suggest my boys pop into a shop if they need to make a call/text etc), a crap phone they are happy to hand over - much less intimidating to have something to offer up. My boys are both happily walking to school, cycling, carrying phones etc despite this note - they are just a bit more vigilant.

A note went out to parents from my children's school last week....parks in general, and, around schools.

Lost Virgin broadband, ee phone, and virgin phone services last night...back now.

I can confirm John has passed. The bookshop will continue, as per his wishes.

I saw him yesterday on Lordship Lane with a bike and watched a woman give him some money.... I also saw him about six months ago with the same accidental scrape on his leg and he asked me for money...

Oh - I've run into him as well. By Ed Station. About a month ago...

http://news.met.police.uk/news/stabbing-in-dulwich-238676

Yay!

Also - we've advised the boys that when they do have their phones, to duck into a shop if they need to make a call or answer a text if they can...

The thieves actually asked what kind of phones they had before demanding them! I've tucked a shiny new five pound note behind his bus pass so at least he has something to offer up. Should probs make it at least a tenner though! My son does not carry his phone on a regular basis so at least he will have something - when he had no phone to offer he was really worried they would indeed search him. Luckily they took his word for it.

Thanks all. The undercover police drove around w/ my son looking for them, to no avail. I have always given him advice re: handing over his phone should this happen but I guess I was hoping he would not need it though it is, sadly, a thing. There is apparently an uptick in this sort of thing re: kids and phones and bikes in the area at the moment according to two local schools. A few of the helpful sixth-formers who came to their aid are from Charter as well as Kingsdale. V. pleased to know there is good-heartedness out there too!

Hi- Just a heads-up - my son (age 12) and his friend were cycling through Dulwich Park en route to their tennis lesson last night about 5:45pm and were stopped by six older boys who demanded their phone and the bikes. The bullies returned the bikes after a spin around but kept the phone, demanded the password etc. The boys felt quite intimidated and are a bit shook up. Just after, a group of 6th-formers from Kingsdale came and most wonderfully assisted our boys; they called the police for them, and, waited with the boys until the police came. The police brought my son and his bike home. Thank you to the Kingsdale teens - my son was filled with gratitude for the assistance.