Nunhead cemetery

I am writing to raise, once again, concerns about the use of Nunhead Cemetery, which I have previously reported to the council regarding dog walking issues.

I have walked in the cemetery regularly for the past 20 years and have always valued it as a peaceful, calming space. However, with the increase in visitor numbers, tours, and general attention the site has received, I have seen a marked decline in how it is being used and cared for.

As raised before, the cemetery continues to be used by commercial dog walkers bringing groups of ten or more dogs at a time. Many dogs are not kept on leads in designated on-lead zones, waste is frequently not picked up, and I have personally been jumped on by dogs whose owners made no effort to control them.

Litter has also increased noticeably alongside the higher footfall. In addition, I have had to ask people to stop smoking near me, and on one occasion had to tell a couple directly that their behaviour was inappropriate for the setting. Separately, I once had to report to the police that masked teenagers had brought a motorcycle into the cemetery grounds.

I raise all of this not out of any wish to see the cemetery closed off or made unwelcoming, but because I and many other regular visitors value it precisely for its calm, respectful atmosphere, which is being steadily eroded. I would be grateful if the council could consider increasing warden or park patrol visibility, particularly during summer evenings and weekends, reviewing signage on dog control and appropriate conduct, and ensuring litter bins are adequately serviced given the higher visitor numbers.