Muggings on Wandsworth Common Post Reply

[charlotte_admin]

We have received details from The Friends of Wandsworth Common which we wanted to share with you all. Please be careful on the commons after dark. 

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We are distributing a message from the Council's Community Safety Officer in case you haven't seen it elsewhere. It is prompted by some recent robberies on the Common (Jan 2-10) near the Cat's Back bridge, after dark. 

The MAC and Friends are meeting regularly with organisations responsible for policing on the Common including the Parks Police, the Met and the Council, with a view to addressing increased crime and anti social behaviour. If you have concerns or issues to report, please use the official channels below. OFFICIAL CONTACT DETAILS

Parks police

• Patrolling mobile: 07500 95 94 42 (calls, text and whatsapp)         
  
• General enquiries: 020 8871 7532 
  
• Email: parkspolice@wandsworth.gov.uk
  
• further info at website: Parks police - Wandsworth Borough Council
  

Non-emergency incidents  101
Emergencies: 999 if:

• A serious offence is in progress or has just been committed
  
• Someone is in immediate danger or harm
  
• Property is in danger of being damaged
  
• A serious disruption to the public is likely
  

Wandsworth Common Robberies

There have been a few robberies on Wandsworth Common, which have been reported to the police over the last few weeks. The victims have been under 18, who are targeted for their phones and other valuables in the early evening.
The perpetrators are believed to be 2 males, who have been described as wearing dark clothing and possibly balaclavas.
If you have given your children a new phone please make sure that that it is insured and that you have recorded the imei number, dial *#06# on your phone.  This will allow your mobile service provider to block the phone.
Remind your child to keep their valuables hidden, especially when going through parks. Also

• Be aware of their surroundings
  
• Don’t text and walk
  
• Keep to well-lit roads
  
• Don’t take short cuts
  
• Report all crimes to the police as soon as possible
  
• Remind them not to put themselves in danger, by holding onto their property.
  

The police and the Council’s parks and events police are patrolling the area.

[Beketaten]

Thanks for the warning, but 2 males in dark clothing isn't much of a description. No info on their height, approximate age, appearance?

[LCC]

My 19yr old son and his two friends were robbed at knifepoint in the football pitch by the children's play area across from Bolingbroke Academy about two weeks ago. The robbers were riding Santander bikes, wore dark clothing, balaclavas, and used hunting knives to threaten. The police were informed. Please warn your children to take care.

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi Beketaten
Thanks for your reply. 

This was the only description supplied of those involved but I do take your point! I will see if we can find anything more out.

Thanks for your heads up too LCC, must have been very frightening.

Stay safe all.


A xx

[Been there have the t shirt]

Just under 20 years ago, I was beaten up and disfigured by a gang of seven on Wandsworth Common so this is not a new problem. We set up a residents association but could not get enough funding for a private security firm ( with dogs) to keep the children safe on their way home from school. These things seem to come in waves until the perpetrators move on to others soft targets. Then, as now , the police were not willing to carry out the necessary ‘sting’ operation to put the thugs behind bars. I understand that the gang in my case went onto murder a man in Fulham a few weeks later. I hope the current thugs a caught quickly .