Mugging on Old Devonshire Road, Balham Post Reply

[Community Editor]

Shared with NappyValleyNet: 

About 30 minutes ago (yesterday evening) my son was walking along Old Devonshire Road SW12 on his way home from work and was robbed by two young boys. They both had knives and threatened to stab him if he didn’t take off his coat and give them his phone. Firstly I thank god he wasn’t hurt as everything else can be replaced but I would be overjoyed if these thugs could be found. They took his Black Canada Goose Parka coat, his iPhone and all his money. He was so upset he is 20 years old. Please if anyone saw anything suspicious or saw them running away please let me know. You may have a camera outside your home along the road, please check CCTV. I am also reporting to the police.

[dimelda]

This incident was reported on another social media website.  As stated, the young man was wearing a  Canada Goose Parka coat, an expensive high-end brand, apparently in demand by local gangs.  Shocking incident – but the moral of the story is  … best not to wear premium fashion on the streets of London – day or night - especially when walking alone.

[Indy235]

Very inconsiderate comment Dimelda…

The young man was on his way home from work, it wasn’t late at night and he obviously didn’t know or expect to be mugged for his coat and other items and after this awful experience probably won’t wear a high end brand again which will be his decision. Quite frankly it’s a shame people can’t wear what they like anymore but we shouldn’t criticise or make negative comments to someone asking for help with information, the mother wasn’t asking whether her son should’ve been wearing an expensive coat… It’s the criminals at fault and we shouldn’t forget this.

[dimelda]

Indy 235:  How on earth are my comments ‘inconsiderate’ ??!   Read my post again.  This time carefully.  At no stage did I criticise or make negative comments about the young man, nor about his distraught mother who, as you say, wasn’t asking for advice as to whether it was wise, or not, for him to wear an expensive coat.  She was quite rightly seeking information / CCTV footage that could be used in an attempt to prosecute the villains.  The point in my post was to suggest that people not wear such high-end clothing on the streets of London (apparently the particular brand the victim wore, from what one reads, is sought after by gangsters) …. & if my warning has been heeded by just one person who’d normally wear such clothing, & since decided not to, then it's been worth it.  I agree: it’s a shame people can’t wear what they like these days - but the criminals, sadly, are not going away.   In life you take either precautions, or risks.  Taking the former is the sensible option.

[ShakaLt]

Oh dear, how awful. Have you found there CCTV footage of what happened?

[Scottov]

This incident was reported on another social media website.  As stated, the young man was wearing a  Canada Goose Parka coat, an expensive high-end brand, apparently in demand by local gangs.  Shocking incident – but the moral of the story is  … best not to wear premium fashion on the streets of London – day or night - especially when walking alone.

Inappropriate, rude and tone deaf.

Do you make a habit of blaming victims?

[dimelda]

Scottov.  I'm falling about laughing at your fatuous comments.  Where does it say, anywhere, that I'm blaming the victim, which of course I'm not.  The young man was targeted for his expensive coat.  Read my reply to Indy 235 (above) - which clearly you havn't done - & you will see that I'm making a prudent suggestion, i.e. that high-end fashion not be worn on the streets of London, particularly when walking alone.  However, if you consider such advice  '... inappropriate, rude & tone deaf', that's your choice.  It's to be hoped that, if you have children, you do the sensible thing & advise them not to wear such fashion .... because if you don't, you could justifiably be described as an irresponsible parent.