I headed there after a worrying week that saw four stabbings in just seven days – one of them fatal – to see how locals were feeling.
Police and paramedics were called to Winslade Way, near Catford Mews, at around 7.30pm on Monday (October 21) after a man was stabbed.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital “as a priority,” and no arrests have been made.
That attack came a day after a teenage boy was stabbed on Canadian Avenue, leaving him with injuries that weren’t life-threatening.
Earlier in the week, on October 15, a man was found with stab wounds in Mountsfield Park and remains in hospital.
Just hours before that, Sanchini Thompson was fatally stabbed on Rushey Green.
A 33-year-old man has since been arrested and charged in connection with his death.
Understandably, the mood in Catford was sombre.
The streets were almost empty – maybe because it was a Thursday afternoon and people were at work – but it gave the town centre an eerie stillness.
Still, there were moments of warmth.
I stopped by the BHF and Samaritans charity shops, both run by friendly volunteers, and chatted to locals who, despite everything, clearly care about their community.
Bianca, who lives in Eltham, told me she feels “unsafe” and “scared to walk on the streets” with her children.
She said: “It’s very concerning.
“I don’t think the police do enough.
“I’ve spent a lot of money on Ubers because I’m scared to be on the streets.”
Others were more balanced.
Tia, who works in Catford but lives in Dagenham, said she feels “generally safe” in the daytime but wouldn’t hang around after dark.
She said: “Catford is what it is.
“It needs a little upgrade and some attention.
“As you can see, there’s no police walking around, so maybe they need to get back to doing what they used to do back in the day.”
The Mayor has announced extra patrols across the area in response to the recent violence.
I didn’t see many officers while I was there, but then again, I wasn’t around for long.
Despite the recent headlines, there’s a lot that works in Catford’s favour.
It’s easy to get to – Catford Station is only a five-minute walk from the centre, buses are constant, and the town’s diversity gives it real character.
Still, the place feels like it could do with some TLC.
There’s not much to do in the town centre, and it’s missing that spark you get in nearby areas like Beckenham or Forest Hill.
The town looked tired, but beneath the gloom there’s clearly a community that wants better and deserves to feel safe walking its own streets.
