THE HUGE increase in levels of muggings in the Church Road area has led to a residents association calling for a cross-borough team to tackle the problem.
Gipsy Hill Residents Association say such a strategy is long overdue and needs to be prioritised as the current system “is failing to keep our streets and homes safe.”
In a letter to police; ward councillors in both Croydon and Lambeth; Greater London Authority members and MPs, Amanda Sciberras, who chairs GHRA (Gipsy Hill Residents Association), says: “Since August 2012 residents have reported muggings, attempted muggings, burglaries, attempted break ins and unacceptable levels of anti social behaviour in the SE19 area. “Those responsible have all been described as young, black males.
“At night the pavements are regularly patrolled by gangs of hooded youths on bikes, cycling without lights or any regard for pedestrians. “The muggers work in packs of two, three or four and some involve bikes as the getaway vehicle.
“The most recent mugging reported to us was on Stambourne Way on Saturday 29.12.12 at 9pm. “The victim was walking home along Church Road and attacked once he entered Stambourne Way.
“This attack is exactly the same as those on Church Road where the victim is walking along Church Road then as soon as they take a turning into the residential roads of Sylvan Hill, Stambourne Way, Fox Hill, Landsdowne Place, Belvedere Road, they are suddenly aware of two but usually three black males who begin by asking for the time before jumping them.
“The week before Christmas a resident suffered a serious attack in Crystal Palace park at 5pm. “He was hospitalised and doctors believe that the three young hooded black males used a hammer to get his phone and cash. “The victim has had to have a metal plate put in his mouth due to extensive damage. “The community in Crystal Palace do not feel protected at all. “The regularity and increase in severity of the muggings goes unchecked and reports that the existing skeleton police provision is to be scaled down even further are causing great unease.
“GHRA looks forward to some effective action regarding street crime and anti social activities which should come in the form of a new cross border police team for the SE19 area.” Both incidents were reported to police.
“The week before Christmas a resident suffered a serious attack in Crystal Palace park at 5pm. “He was hospitalised and doctors believe that the three young hooded black males used a hammer to get his phone and cash. “The victim has had to have a metal plate put in his mouth due to extensive damage. “The community in Crystal Palace do not feel protected at all. “The regularity and increase in severity of the muggings goes unchecked and reports that the existing skeleton police provision is to be scaled down even further are causing great unease.
“GHRA looks forward to some effective action regarding street crime and anti social activities which should come in the form of a new cross border police team for the SE19 area.” Both incidents were reported to police.
*Details of the muggings have been posted on Virtual Norwood under the thread ‘Muggings on Belvedere Road’:
The victim of the Stambourne Way attack said he was “walking home from the Westow House pub on a Saturday night, relatively early at 9pm and got jumped by three black guys halfway down Stambourne Way.
“They did the usual opening gambit ‘got the time?’ – I knew something was up so shouted ‘no’ and kept walking. “Next thing I know someone grabs me from behind and puts me in a headlock demanding my phone and then the other two piled in.
“I wasn’t going to give my phone to these ***** ”After a bit of scuffle I managed to break free and knew if I shouted out the top of my voice it would a) alert anyone else in the area and b) being the cowards these scum were they would probably run off so I boomed out ‘Help I am being mugged by three black guys’.
“They did the usual opening gambit ‘got the time?’ – I knew something was up so shouted ‘no’ and kept walking. “Next thing I know someone grabs me from behind and puts me in a headlock demanding my phone and then the other two piled in.
“I wasn’t going to give my phone to these ***** ”After a bit of scuffle I managed to break free and knew if I shouted out the top of my voice it would a) alert anyone else in the area and b) being the cowards these scum were they would probably run off so I boomed out ‘Help I am being mugged by three black guys’.
“Thankfully both a) and b) came to pass as they ran off into the night as quick as they came and someone on the street heard my shouts and called the police.”I immediately called the police and they arrived within a few minutes (either through my call or the other person calling) and after a cruise round the area they took a statement and that was that.
“What was worrying is it was only 9pm so there are people in the area obviously targeting random strangers from early evening rather than just late night when its quieter. “I didn’t notice them until it was too late so you should advise people to double check before coming off busy streets.
“What was worrying is it was only 9pm so there are people in the area obviously targeting random strangers from early evening rather than just late night when its quieter. “I didn’t notice them until it was too late so you should advise people to double check before coming off busy streets.
“They were definitely out in the area with intent. “I didn’t notice anything untoward and the walk along Church Rd had the usual people walking here and there and getting on and off buses so really can’t fathom where they popped up from.”
Details of the second attack have been posted by a friend of the victim, who took a shortcut through Crystal Palace park at 5pm,( which the friend says was “possibly not the brightest thing to do considering it was dark”) in the week before Christmas when he was attacked by three black kids in hooded tops who were after his phone and money.
“The attack was quite bad and he doesn’t remember the full details but he seemed 90 per cent sure that a hammer was used resulting in serious black eye and damage around his mouth.
“The hospital said that the injuries were too bad to have been caused by fists and must have been caused by a blunt instrument (such as a hammer). “He is having a plate fitted into his mouth later this week.
“The descriptions of the attackers seem rather younger than those of the recent Church Road attacks so possibly this is a different crew operating.”
Details of the second attack have been posted by a friend of the victim, who took a shortcut through Crystal Palace park at 5pm,( which the friend says was “possibly not the brightest thing to do considering it was dark”) in the week before Christmas when he was attacked by three black kids in hooded tops who were after his phone and money.
“The attack was quite bad and he doesn’t remember the full details but he seemed 90 per cent sure that a hammer was used resulting in serious black eye and damage around his mouth.
“The hospital said that the injuries were too bad to have been caused by fists and must have been caused by a blunt instrument (such as a hammer). “He is having a plate fitted into his mouth later this week.
“The descriptions of the attackers seem rather younger than those of the recent Church Road attacks so possibly this is a different crew operating.”
