Mugging In Melbourne Grove

[Sandperson]

nbn Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> out of london !

Has this utopia you've found not got it's own forum you can go to?

[Sue]

Robyn0312 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Having been mugged twice in the area and followed

> home once as well i can say from personal

> experience that it can take an awfully long time

> to feel safe in your own home again. It's

> unfortunate and yes I agree that you can't dwell

> on what may happen to anyone but for those who are

> unfortunate enough to be targeted by criminals in

> a intimidting manner it can completely take away

> your sense of security and your independence.

xxxxxxxxx

Yes of course, it's clearly awful and traumatic for those who it happens to (and you seem to have been particularly unlucky). And of course it's not surprising if you don't feel safe for a long time afterwards.

But what Mikecg was suggesting was that "ladies" shouldn't go out by themselves late at night. That is, that people who - chances are - will never be placed in a dangerous situation should permanently feel unsafe in streets near their home late at night.

That's a very limiting place to be in.

[????]

nbn - Some people can hack the city others can't - always been the same (the can't hack it and ED, certainly in the short space of time you've lived here before running way to small townsville

[Mikecg]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Mikecg Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > think that Ladies should never be

> > walking the streets late at night alone becuase

> > they could find themselves in a dangerous

...

>

> My sister was knifed, luckily on the hand, years

> ago in broad daylight when she hung on to a bag

> someone tried to snatch. Maybe you think "ladies"

> shouldn't go out at all in London without a

> companion?

>

> Get a grip!

I'm getting back under me quilt now Sue.

[cathg]

I hope the police are more precise in pursuit of villains than they are at giving out information. I cycled past Melbourne Grove at 11.20 last night and the street was already well cordoned off with two patrol cars on the corner near ED station. Don't think it could possibly have been someone getting off the 11.18.

Terrible thing though, regardless of time.

boswell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just saw a policeman walking down Melbourne Grove

> on my way home from work and stopped and asked him

> about last night - he was carrying a clipboard

> with the details written down on it, so guess he

> was walking around to 'reassure' the local

> community. He told me it happened at 11.40 last

> night near the junction with east dulwich road - a

> man came up behind her and grabbed her bag, there

> was a struggle and he had a knife. I mentioned the

> other muggings that have been talked about on the

> forum and he said they have had a spate of 'street

> robberies' up the other side of lordship lane

> recently. He didn't say whether they were

> connected, but that this was one guy rather than a

> gang.

>

> I always feel safer getting a train back late at

> night because you walk down the street with a load

> of other people (as opposed to being one of the

> only people getting off the bus) but the timings

> suggest this was around the time that the 11.18pm

> would have got in.

>

[Mikecg]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Robyn0312 Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Having been mugged twice in the area and

> followed

> > ...

tly

> feel unsafe in streets near their home late at

> night.

>

> That's a very limiting place to be in.

a knife weilding maniac tried to kill a woman for her bag, now I'm not being ridiculous here but if you wander the streets late at night these types of oppertunist criminal maniacs might be walking the streets late at night seeking easy pray, not saying that you shouldnt go out, but you need to be careful. I'm a big lad and I dont like walking about on me tod late at night but then again I am a gentle giant.

[cate]

Very sorry to hear of this. I wish the victim a speedy physical recovery. It could have happened anywhere in London. Leafy expensive areas like Hampstead, St. John's Wood, Richmond etc. are often targeted. A heavily pregnant woman was knocked to the ground and robbed in Hampstead about a year ago. Scum are everywhere.

[Sue]

:)

Mikecg Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Mikecg Wrote:

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > think that Ladies should never be

> > > walking the streets late at night alone

> becuase

> > > they could find themselves in a dangerous

> > > situation you never know,

> >

> > xxxxxxx

> >

> > Oh for goodness sake.

> >

> > I'm very sorry for the person who was stabbed,

> it

> > was an appalling thing to happen, but you can

> find

> > yourself in a dangerous situation anywhere,

> > including in your own house, and if you start

> > brooding about all the possible dangers you may

> > encounter in life you'd never do anything or go

> > anywhere.

> >

> > My sister was knifed, luckily on the hand,

> years

> > ago in broad daylight when she hung on to a bag

> > someone tried to snatch. Maybe you think

> "ladies"

> > shouldn't go out at all in London without a

> > companion?

> >

> > Get a grip!

>

> I'm getting back under me quilt now Sue.

[nbn]

dear sandperson ,

no it does not have a forum

and to ?????,

well i lived in brixton from 94 to 04 and prior too that in penge. All my life.

Think i can hack inner city quite well; what makes you think i am running away to smalltownsville you moron !

[mlteenie]

Horrible news and I hope she recovers and they catch the scumbag.

As my neighbour told me t'other day, as an ex-policeman and MP in 'Nam (I do not jest), when he pops down the Rye with his dog at night, he always carries a bright torch and a walking stick 'just in case'. You aim the torch in the eyes and hit the neck or knees, apparently.... unlikely to be fatal and they ain't going anywhere.

Obviously, few of us would relish being in that situation, but somehow I find the guidance er, ...interesting.

[Mick Mac]

I hate to say it has come to this but I guess we have to give in easily to these muggers - If they carry knives then material possessions are not worth the risk of losing your life.

I know however if you are taken by surprise its incredibly difficult to think clearly in such frightening circumstances but I guess we should all be aware and not for example listen to music on the way home late at night, we should do all we can to stay vigilant. Also sticking to main roads as much as possible on way home might help.

I had not heard about the earlier muggings so it seems these are more common place. I think its actually a sign of people realising there are some well off people living in ED and hoping to take advantage. Clapham has had this problem for some years.

My thoughts are with this latest victim.

[Cassius]

Mikecg Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> No not really but as we are in London you must

> always be on your guard at night anything can

> happen and I think that Ladies should never be

> walking the streets late at night alone becuase

> they could find themselves in a dangerous

> situation you never know, It's very bad and a sign

> of the times.

Gosh Mike you are so right - mmmm I'd better give up having a social life, working shifts, going to buy a pint of milk or doing anything that might mean I am walking alone at night. Perhaps we'd better start asking our big brave men folk to do these things for us, or ask to be accompanied at all times. My partner will love to come and pick me up from the station or bus stop.............

I thought statistics show that young men between 18 and 25 are more likely to be attacked than any other demographic?

[Jeremy]

I always prefer to meet my girlfriend at the station if she's coming home late at night - and if I'm not around, I'd prefer she got a taxi. Yes, it's unlikely anything would happen, but it gives us both a bit more peace of mind. I find it strange that people (women or their partners) should have an issue with this, I've known women who lived to really, really regret walking home alone.

[Sue]

Cassius Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>>

> Gosh Mike you are so right - mmmm I'd better give

> up having a social life, working shifts, going to

> buy a pint of milk or doing anything that might

> mean I am walking alone at night. Perhaps we'd

> better start asking our big brave men folk to do

> these things for us, or ask to be accompanied at

> all times. My partner will love to come and pick

> me up from the station or bus stop.............

>

> I thought statistics show that young men between

> 18 and 25 are more likely to be attacked than any

> other demographic?

xxxxxxxx

Yes exactly.

Perhaps we "ladies" should return to the days when we sat at home all day and night and did embroidery and waited for the men to come back from their exciting outings.

Yes people sometimes get stabbed. Yes sometimes they are women. Usually they aren't. This can happen anywhere. London or out of London, day or night.

Yes you have to be careful when walking alone late at night. Anyone. Anywhere. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it.

I'm very very sorry for the person who was stabbed in Melbourne Grove, but unless there is a spate of similar incidents in ED and the police recommend people do not walk alone at night, I intend to continue to do so.

And it's nice if your partner or whoever is protective, but not everybody has partners, and even if they do, why should they have to pick you up?

And Jeremy, of course if something happened you would really really regret walking home alone, but what tiny tiny tiny percentage of the women who walk home alone get mugged?

[Jeremy]

I would consider it a sensible precaution (as do lots of people). If you disagree of course that's fine - we're all free to do as we choose - but why so defensive? What with your embroidery remark and quoting of "ladies", you seem to be verging on accusing mike of sexism, which seems unfair to me.

[wondergirl]

Women should be able to walk around safely at night but sadly this isn't the case. I walk around late at night all the time (and I'm not a prostitute!).

[SeanMacGabhann]

I believe everyone should be able to walk around safely at night, not just women. Call me a square from the past

My thoughts, condolences to the victim in this attack

[Louise_mckenna]

Sue I think you are going slightly over the top with this. I am a 'modern woman' if you like, but I would never walk home alone from the station late at night as it is just not wise to do so. Like it or not, a woman on her own will be seen as an easy target. This isn't being sexist, it is the truth. And having a friend or partner meet you isn't a 'return to the days of staying at home and doing embroidery', it's being sensible and aware of the area in which we live.

That said, it isn't just women who are at risk, men will be a target too, and everyone needs to aware.

[lenk]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I believe everyone should be able to walk around

> safely at night, not just women. Call me a square

> from the past

Have you considered moving to the 1950s?

I hear you can leave your front door open and children call you 'sir' and everything.

[Sue]

Louise_mckenna Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue I think you are going slightly over the top

> with this. I am a 'modern woman' if you like, but

> I would never walk home alone from the station

> late at night as it is just not wise to do so.

> Like it or not, a woman on her own will be seen as

> an easy target. This isn't being sexist, it is the

> truth.

xxxxxxx

You are more likely to be a target if you are a man, according to statistics which someone has already quoted above.

I don't think this has anything to do with being a "modern woman", whatever that is - everyone is different.

Obviously I'm not suggesting forcing everybody who feels safer having a man with them to walk home alone - they'd be giving out such frightened vibes they'd attract every mugger from miles around!

What concerns me is the scaremongering resulting from one - appalling - isolated stabbing which suggests that no woman should walk around ED late at night. I think that is the over-reaction, not mine .......

[BlueOne]

It may not be wise to do so, but unfortunately if you don't have anyone to come and walk you home and you can't afford a cab (and believe me there are many, many women in this category) sometimes you literally have no choice but to walk alone at night.

[sophiesofa]

My boyfriend is too lazy/mean to come meet me off the train. I always plan to walk the longer way but then when it comes to it i'm generally a bit drunk and want my bed so walk the quicker way. Maybe we should all make a mini deal to always walk the main road way even if it takes longer. Keep your wits about you boys and girls and if someone does try to mug you just let them take it (although i know it's easier to say than do). If they are not leaving you alone then just scream as loud as possible and run. My mate got followed home (not in ED) by a man and he grabbed her from behind and touched her where he definitely shouldn't have so she screamed and screamed so everyone came outside and he ran off.

[PeckhamRose]

I've posted elsewhere about this, but basically as a woman who is often out at night and not just on a motorcycle but doing the walking thing too, nothing, but nothing will stop me walking where I want and nothing including appallingly sad stories like this, and scaremongering by others, will make me think, "Oh I am a woman I mustn't go out after dark it's not safe." This terribly sad situation notwithstanding, most people get from A-B safely, even when being aware and with skills. The important thing is at night especially is to be aware, not to dull senses with mobile phone or iPod, and walk defensively (and not in heels you can't run in!)

Having said all that, if it is going to happen it is going to happen. But you can lessen the chances without restricting your life, and living in fear.

My thoughts go to the woman concerned - and I shall raise the issue at the next Police Ward Panel.

[Sue]

Well said Peckham Rose

[Cassius]

A cab home to ED from the West End at night last time I took one (about 8 years ago) was about ?20. Now I expect its a lot more. OK - so I can't afford a cab - so should I give up seeing friends, or doing anything at all? And if most women start staying home when its dark, then the streets are going to be even LESS safe for those who HAVE to be there - as I said what about shift workers?

What happened to this woman is awful, dreadful but we simply cannnot start leading our lives as if there is a threat around every corner - because then we start to lead existences instead.