Two moped drivers burst into a Dulwich Village cafe and threatened customers after being told they couldn’t drive through a low traffic neighbourhood last Sunday.
Au Ciel Patisserie on Calton Avenue became the unlikely site of a violent confrontation as two moped drivers tried to throw chairs through the window and assaulted one of the customers.
The café’s director Roger Wilkinson, 66, said the event was “absolutely horrendous.”
It started when he heard raised voices on the street at around 10:40am and went outside to investigate.
The two were trying to drive through a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) zone blocked off by planters, while a customer of the cafe was telling them not to.
“They were abusing him, telling him to shut the **** up and trying to drive through the area,” said Roger.
“I told them, they can’t come through here.”
At that point the pair drove onto the street and began verbally abusing Roger.
“They stuck around, looking for a fight,” he said. “With their helmets still on, brave people that they were. They got more and more angry, kicking at the furniture.
“They barged into the shop, and one appeared to headbutt a woman while still wearing his helmet. I don’t know if she managed to dodge it.
“I was just dreading that they would trash the shop and look for money, but they just wanted a fight.
“For ten minutes, or what felt like ten minutes, it was just complete and utter mayhem.”
One of the men threw a chair at the window of the café, but didn’t managed to break it.
Customers, including three children, took refuge at the back of the shop as one of the moped drivers is said to have threatened a seventeen-year-old member of staff that he was carrying a knife.
When officers arrived at 10:48, the men had fled the scene. According to a statement from the Met, there was no trace of the suspects following a thorough search.
Roger described the men as white and in their early 20s. He estimated one to be around six foot three, the other five foot 11.
LTNs have been a significant source of controversy since their introduction in 2020.
The closure of Calton Avenue and the Dulwich Village junction in particular has been highly contentious due to the resulting disruption and traffic displacement.
Following a consultation with residents, on September 18 2021 Southwark Council announced their intention to continue the existing traffic controls in Dulwich, while adjusting them to link with school drop-off and pickup times. They are also aiming to improve the visibility of the LTNs.
According to a study conducted by Dulwich Village Association in July 2021, 22 of 26 traders surveyed said they wanted the road reopened. The remaining four did not respond to the survey.
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However, Roger stated that he was in favour of the Calton Avenue LTN, and was surprised to hear about the survey by the Dulwich Village Association.
“For us, it creates a peaceful space outside the café,” he said. “It’s like having a proper village square.”
Furthermore, according to Southwark Council’s own consultation process, 55% of residents were supportive of the aims of the LTN programme.
LTNs are also a significant form of income for Southwark Council. As reported by the News at the time, in the first seven weeks of Dulwich Village’s LTN, Southwark Council issued an enormous 22,424 penalties.
Even if each of these paid the cheaper earlier fee of £65, Southwark Council would have made £1,457,560 in those first seven weeks.
Enquiries by the police to find the men who attacked the Au Ciel Pattiserie are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 2839/10Oct. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.