This week 10, 20, 30 years ago

10 years ago

Figures revealed that police made 171 arrests related to the widespread looting and disorder in Lewisham the previous summer.

About 70 businesses were targeted on August 8, 2011.

Of those arrested, 110 had been charged.

The figures were revealed during a meeting between the council and police.

Thousands of school kids in South London were set to see events at the Olympics for free.

More than 4,600 tickets were allocated to youngsters from 169 secondary and primary schools in schools in Lambeth and Southwark.

Ninety-three schools in Lewisham also benefited, receiving 3,201 tickets.

Councillor Florence Nosegbe, Lambeth’s Olympics cabinet member, said: “It’s fantastic that so many young people from Lambeth will be part of the Games.”

A £2.3million price tag was slapped on a former historic squat.

Lambeth council was selling Clifton Mansions in Coldharbour Lane after an operation with police to clear out its illegal occupants last summer.

There were more than 16,000 people on the council’s housing list.

The listed Clifton Mansions was built in 1896 to house workers at the nearby Brixton Theatre – now the Ritzy.

As a squat, Clifton Mansions was home to artist Jeremy Deller and folk-punk band The Pogues.

20 years ago

It’s rare to hear of people bemoaning the lack of traffic wardens in their lives.

But that’s just what happened in one Brixton street where residents said the officials were too scared to patrol the area.

People living in Hinton Road, just off Coldharbour Lane, said cars were forever parked on double yellow lines, but nothing was ever done about it.

One woman told the South London Press that on a rare occasion when a warden did turn up, he just walked past the offending vehicles.

She said: “It’s ridiculous. I can understand the wardens being a bit intimidated but it doesn’t mean people should get away with it.”

A spokesman for Lambeth council admitted there was an “enforcement problem” and said discussions were being held with the police.

A billboard poster promoting a radio station fell foul of the advertising watchdog and had to be taken down.

The offending article showed a topless woman shot from her neck to her waist.

Covering her nipples were two radio dials.

The Advertising Standards Authority branded it sexist and irrelevant.

Outraged campaigner Martin Coombs said: “People are free to do what they want, but what about the freedom of ordinary folk, especially children and the elderly, to walk the high street without being confronted by this stuff?”

Deptford-based Fusion said it did not think the advert would cause offence.

Its promotions manager said: “We were simply trying to draw attention to the station.”

30 years ago

The new Bishop of Southwark took up his post and duly let it be known he would now be supporting Millwall.

The Right Rev Roy Williamson, the former Bishop of Bradford, was described as “football crazy”.

His spokesman said: “He spent many years on the terraces shouting for Bradford City, although he insists he will now be shouting for Millwall.”

The unnamed journalist who wrote the article noted that “long-suffering Lions fans looking for divine inspiration to salvage their season may have had their prayers answered”.

At the time of writing, Millwall were about to face Second Division promotion contenders Ipswich Town.

TV comedy writer Carla Lane flew to the rescue of a flock of Canada geese threatened with the bullet.

Carla, whose hits include Bread and the perhaps appropriately The Liver Birds, was offering sanctuary to the Battersea Park birds, which had had their feathered cards marked by Wandsworth council.

The town hall had them in the crosshairs because they were forcing out other wildlife.

Ms Lane said: “I am doing this because I don’t want the geese to be shot. They will be released into a tranquil situation where they will be safe.”

But the offer of shelter did not come without a cost to the birds.

Ms Lane said: “We will have to clip their primary feathers so they can’t fly back, but this will not stop them flying small distances.

“It’s a small price to pay to save their lives.”

A woman’s car was stolen from outside her home in Peckham only to be returned two weeks later – complete with a new back tyre.

The brown Ford Sierra was nicked from the Friary Estate in Bird in Bush Road.

Its 33-year-old owner thought that was the last she would see of it, until it was returned within a fortnight with the new tyre and a damaged front wing.

Compiled by alexandra@slpmedia.co.uk