lance_elot

I've just come back from the USA and i was in Texas, where they have swarms of killer African bees!a local told me that they had been released accidentally in Brazil and made their way up North! Thankfully they are not here in Dulwich!

Yes i noticed the Evening Standard is very right-wing leaning nowadays and has endorsed a right wing candidate to become the next Mayor of London. The owner of Evening Standard also owns The Independent newspapers, his name is Evgeny Lebedev and he is a Russian Oligarch with business interests in Hotels and Restaurants, what better way to plug your own business's then by owning the Media? He is also a strong pro-Royalist and bows and scraps to anything with a title. As tensions rise with Russia, i think he is trying to become more British than the British! its a good business tactic...

I just found a clothe moth flying around my bedroom, i think it may have come in through the open window. I going to have to check everything to make sure it has'nt laid any eggs.

I totally understand your fears about vaccinations, i read that it was linked to Autism and ADHD. But overall i think is best to get more advice, research and then make an informed decision.

Yes ofcourse do dispose of ones packaging discreetly. Also i would like to add that New Years Eve is one of a Burglars best opportunity to break into a house whilst its occupants are out watching the fireworks and celebrating.

Remember everyone, its a Burglars paradise during Christmas....! Don't make their day happy - lock all your windows, turn on all alarms, CCTV, Guard dogs etc.

Just to remind people to please be careful about securing your property and possessions over the Xmas period,as alot of people will be away and alot of criminals/burglars will be out and about prowling the streets.....

With the run-up to Halloween/Gy Fawkes and then Xmas - please be vigilant in securing your homes and being careful who you open the door to.

Yes i do agree with Dulwich being low crime area, the problem is , its unfortunately surrounded by high crime areas, e.g Camberwell/Peckham/Brixton. I've looked online and this recent chart from 2010 shows SE22 as being a better than average area crime-wise. I.e better than most parts of London. No part of London is untouched by crime, even leafy Hampstead is surrounded by high crime Camden/Chalk Farm/Gospel Oak - Kensington by high crime Earls Court/Worlds End etc. LONDON (SE22) CRIME STATISTICS Postcode Map Local Statistics Crime Statistics Hospitals Chemists Events The following crime statistics for the postcode area SE22 (London) are based on official police recorded crime reports from November 2010. Figures refer to the number of criminal offences recorded per 1000 population. Police Service: Metropolitan Police Criminal activity SE22 Stats National Vehicle/car crime 0.2871 0.153 Worse than average Violent crime 0.297 0.2989 Better than average Burglary 0.2772 0.1976 Worse than average Robbery 0.1089 0.0297 Worse than average Antisocial behaviour 0.7426 1.0531 Better than average Other crime 0.5248 0.7553 Better than average Total crime 2.2376 2.4876 Better than average

I believe it to be more break-ins than usual, as cut-backs and austerity measures bite, some people do take to criminal activities. My Mothers elderly friend had a scam builder try to 'coerce' his way into her flat, luckily she's a feisty old galand soon got shot of him!

Sorry about your car windows being smashed, its numb headed thugs up to no good causing alot of this. How does one set-up a Neighbourhood watch in my area? Do i have to register with Police/Council etc?

I know how you feel,my neighbours are constantly nervous and petrified of some of the anti-social people and behaviour and do not go out at night, like prisoners in their own homes! Its very sad - its the same all over London and i guess so all over the country.

After the Christmas and New Year periods,i'm now hearing of numerous thefts from properties and 2 burglaries over the Christmas period on my road. Its disconcerting that, what should have been a happy time for many families, actually turned into a nightmare and sadness for the kids, when they had their prized Christmas presents stolen. Thankfully after all the reading tips on this posting about home security, i feel my home is a bit safer now and i urge others to take similar, preventative measures to secure their home.

I've now installed grilles on my kitchen window and extra locks and security, but do i feel any safer? No! Are these break-ins symtomatic with the breaking down of morals and any sort of community well-being by these particularly shameless, stone hearted individuals. I don't believe that society is all to blame, i grew up on poor and on a housing estate, it did'nt make me a criminal and wanting to steal at every turn..! We need to have proper, stronger deterrents that mean something. Even starting from an early age, as that's where many of these life-long, persistent burglars/criminals start. Short sharp shocks, with lengthier prison terms for consistent offenders, with no parole offered at all.

It is quite shocking. I have now installed CCTV, bolted in a safe onto my floorboards and have metal bars acrossmy front windows. Hopefully that will be enough!

I know how everyone feels about the rise in burglaries, i got done 4 weeks ago. I was stupid enough not to heed warnings from people that i should use a burglar alarm everytime i go out, even if its popping off to Sainsburys. I just took the dog for a walk as usual in Peckham Rye Park, came back and had the whole flat done over! My new laptop with precious pics that i had erased the SD card was on there, tools, watches, camera - all gone.. They came in through the back door via the garden alleyway, as i'm an end of terrace house, it was a quiet easy place to get done, out of view from other houses. I'm now sparing no effort and money into getting CCTV installed, PIR floodlights and a floor bolted safe! - i learnt the hard way, i was complacent with my security and paid the price.

Yeah i can understand the frustration Poppy! i hadmy doormat ofall things nicked from my front doorstep - can you believe it< a dirty doormat stolen!

Where do all these Parakeets go to in the depths of Winter? I can't recall seeing any flying around during the cold months as they would be very conspicuous in the bare trees.

Does anyone know if Budgerigars survive outside in the wild in our climate?

Yes i saw a Sparrowhawk dive down onto some grass, not sure if it caught anything because it just flew off again. Theres loads of wildlife in my garden especially at night, foxes , hedgehogs, bats etc.

I've just seen two of them Parakeets in my back garden! Hanging on my washing line upside down last night - they've been hanging around the neighbours garden too for the last few days - i wonder if they are choosing a nesting site?