Lewisham neighbourhood in shock after youths ‘wielding machetes broke into a house’

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A neighbourhood has been left in shock after youths “wielding machetes broke into a house”.

Police were called to Ardmere Road, Lewisham, on September 6 following reports of a gang on mopeds forcing their way into a property.

According to residents, the incident follows months of antisocial behaviour along the street, including a case of racial abuse on August 22.

Resident Fay Samuel claimed the people living in the road had caused unrest for months, including threatening her son with a screwdriver.

She said: “Since about May, there’s been a lot of loud antisocial behaviour. Then it was racial abuse, then threats of violence. All culminating in the mother of all scenarios.”

The string of incidents led to an antisocial warning notice being issued by Lewisham council.

Ms Samuel said she was watching television with her son on September 6 when she heard a loud noise on the road.

She said: “There were four guys on two mopeds armed with machetes. Apparently, what we heard, the commotion, was them kicking the door down.”

Another resident of Ardmere Road, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “They were out here screaming a lot. It was quite dramatic. There were six police cars, the dog unit and police with guns.”

Ms Samuel said her “son went in” to the property to see what was going on and told her “all of the rooms were divided up”.

She added: “He said the living room was divided in two and the dining area was divided in two, with individual locks on. We don’t think it had a licence for a house in multiple occupancy.”

A Met Police spokesman said: “At around 7.10pm on Tuesday, September 6, police were called to reports of a disturbance in Ardmere Road, SE13.

“It was alleged that a group of males on mopeds had been seen forcing their way into a property.

“Officers attended but all those involved had left. There were no reports of any injuries. A 27-year-old man was later arrested in connection with the incident. He has been bailed. Enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokeswoman for Lewisham council said: “We have been investigating the ownership and management of an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) in Ardmere Road, in response to concerns raised by local residents.

“We are investigating possible breaches of licensing rules and if any breaches are found to have occurred then enforcement action will be taken.

“In order to continue operating, the property managers will need to apply for a licence. As part of the licensing process, a full inspection of the property and review of management processes will take place. The licence will not be granted if we have concerns about the management and safety of the property.

“We have also taken action to address antisocial behaviour linked to this property, with a warning notice previously issued, and we will continue to investigate the issues raised in relation to antisocial behaviour.”

Pictured top: Ardmere Road (Picture: Google Street View)