mugging on Melbourne Grove (3rd November)

[sylvie]

I was mugged 2 weeks ago on Melbourne Grove (3rd November). It was at 8.20pm. They actually didn't get anything because I fought back and kept hold of my bag. I did report it to the police and will attempt to identify the mugger that did the dirty work. Be careful out there! I had felt so safe in ED for so long, but perhaps this is a sign of things changing.

If I identify them, I will be taking this to court.

[Ladymuck]

sylvie Wrote:

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

> I was mugged 2 weeks ago on Melbourne Grove (3rd

> November). It was at 8.20pm. They actually

> didn't get anything because I fought back and kept

> hold of my bag....will be taking this to

> court.

Very sad to hear of this...hope you are physically/mentally alright after such a horrible experience. But good on you for fighting back (daft...but bloody brave)...and taking them to court?...even braver. You've got courage girl. Good luck.

[whishter]

That is dreadful - I walk up Mel Grove from the station practically every night around 7/8pm and and shocked to hear this. Not that is really matters but where abouts did it happen - I always feel safe as there as houses lining the footpath.

[Otto]

Hi Sylvie -

That is awful. Glad you are ok. Thanks for posting.

Were you on the end by the station or further down across East Dulwich Grove or on the LL end?

[sylvie]

I was walking from Blackwater Street towards East Dulwich Grove. They got me on the corner of Ashbourne Grove and Melbourne Grove - funnily enough, just by the fences and not outside the houses. As I always hold onto the belly of my bag when using a shoulder bag, when the mugger went to grab the straps I fell backwards into the road, hitting my head on the ground, but still clutching my bag. There were two of them. The police suggested that they could have been hiding behind a car waiting for me to get to that point, as I just hadn't clocked them. I'm quite feisty and usually very aware, but that night I was deep in thought about something and just hadn't noticed them walking towards me, but then again, they might not have done - I just don't know.

I'm alright. Actually a bit shaken, wary at night and having nightmares. I just want other people to be safe hence my posting on the forum. The police have some people in mind, so let's see if I can identify them.

I'm glad I fought back. It didn't occur to me to give them my bag, nor to kick out or to scream!

[rgutsell]

Hi all

Im sorry that this happened to anyone.

I was chatting with my partner about personal protection recently, and she agreed to carry a "Scream" alarm; but then she keeps it in the bottom of her bag, which isn't a lot of use!! A specialist told us to carry old and cheap bags, with weak straps (that break when they grab it) and to keep nothing of value in the bag ( no cash, cards, wallets etc) but keep that stuff more secretly elsewhere on your body. In that way they get away with nothing, and leave quickly without being violent, but will have put themselves at risk of being caught or recognised.

[sylvie]

to be honest, I'm not sure that personal alarms are great ideas. I'm not sure that I would have thought to grab it and set it off anyway! There really wasn't time. I was using a rubbish old cotton bag with virtually nothing in it. It would have just been extremely annoying had they got away with it. Funnily enough, my phone was in my pocket so I'm really glad that it didn't fall out when I fell. I won't be walking that way home in the evening and will spent 2 minutes more walking down lordship lane from now on where the light is better and there are more people around.

[boswell]

It seems as though it's this section of the road that's less safe - the woman stabbed a while ago was at the junction of East Dulwich Grove and I remember reading a while ago about an attempted mugging in Bassono St?

[Otto]

I have seen a few groupings of young men hanging out on tell grove near melbourne - I am unsure if they are related to this, but it is something I have noted over the past month or so...and I have not seen them previous to the past month -- I live quite nearby...perhaps the safe neighborhood team can step up some patrols in this area...

[thexwinglessxbird]

^ I do think there should be more police out & about, keeping an eye out. It seems that something happens almost every day... If there were more police around, they could be caught & put away. If they don't, they'll just keep doing it...

Sylvie, you are so brave & I do hope they catch those bastards!

[Applespider]

So sorry to hear about this Sylvie. It will affect you for a while most likely - you might be a little more jumpy when you catch something out of the corner of your eye for example. But eventually, it passes although the hard-earned lesson in extra-alertness probably won't. My mugging was 5 years ago and I'm still very conscious of checking my surroundings and if anyone is around when I walk down that road in the dark.

> A specialist told us to carry old and cheap bags,

> with weak straps (that break when they grab it)

> and to keep nothing of value in the bag ( no cash,

> cards, wallets etc) but keep that stuff more

> secretly elsewhere on your body.

That's the kind of specialist that really annoys me. So I can't use a nice handbag and have to wear things with lots of pockets just in case I happen to get mugged. After I was mugged - the specialist told me to avoid walking alone after dark. Great - then I'll tell work I'm only going in between 10 and 3. Yes, it all might be sensible but it's really not that practical.

I use a bag that has good strong straps and hold it by the body. Strangely, that was on the advice of the Victim Support bod who seemed to think that if your bag looks relatively flimsy, they're more likely to try grabbing it since they know it will break easier. The mugger only got mine when the straps snapped (I used to hold onto the straps!) and I fell backwards. Although let's face it, if there's a knife involved, we're going to hand it over regardless. I don't disagree with the advice to have some other cash on you (a note tucked somewhere doesn't take up much room) just in case - and I've done it for years.

As for alarms, again I think they're a bit of a waste of time unless you're prepared to walk around holding it just right. They sound like any other alarms which the majority of people seem to ignore these days if the car alarms etc round my way are anything to go by. If you're walking somewhere you don't feel that comfortable, keep alert and be prepared to scream. I had several neighbours come out to check I was OK when I was attacked. If I'd screamed when he first approached me rather than just telling him to f-off, I'd probably still have the bag. I'd rather feel a little foolish if the mugger runs off and someone comes out to see what's happening after all.

[citizenED]

A thoughtful post Applespider.

Sorry to hear about your mugging, Sylvie

[karter]

The streets of ED are generally safe though.

[Beulah]

Glad you're OK Sylvie.

As Applespider said it will probably affect you for quite a while.

The important thing is not to blame yourself.

You didn't do anything wrong - it was the scum who attacked you who are to blame.

Take comfort from the fact you fought back and they didn't get anything.

Friends and acquatainces may tell you something along the lines of:

"I always cross the road when I see some dodgy people..."

or

"My mate was attacked and he hit them back..." etc...

Basically saying to themselves (and unintentionally to you) "it would never happen to me".

The unfortunate truth is you can't prepare yourself.

People like to think they can but plenty of off duty police officers, trained army people, people who should "know better" - have been a victim.

Of course you can be careful, but sometimes it's not enough.

Being able to walk safely to and from the station on your way to and from work is, in my opinion, the very minimum level of safety we should expect and receive.

I hope the Peckham police inspector who posted on this forum recently puts stopping incidents this at the top of his agenda.

[sylvie]

Actually, most people have said I should have given them the bag, but I'm a bit of a fighter and it is mine after all. Overall I feel OK about it all. I know the nightmares will go and I will become less jumpy. I'm feisty anyway and I think all you can do is have your wits about you .... I didn't that night. My guard was down. But, you know, in 15 years of living in London, that is the first time I have been mugged (and hopefully the last) .... and I've lived in some rough areas.

Nice to have lots of support though ... thanks for all the nice messages and words of wisdom.

[ClareC]

Glad your OK Sylvie :-)

The jumpiness does go! I was really jumpy after being mugged in Camberwell nearly three years ago. The jumpiness has gone but I am definitely still a lot more aware of my surroundings which is a good thing!

I am still very uncomfortable with hooded persons riding (too small) bikes on pavements which was the method used on me! There are some really scummy people around unfortunately!! The police told me these people wear layers of clothes so they can swiftly take a layer off to avoid detection!!

C

[keilo]

So sorry to hear about that Sylvie. I think the mugging on Bassano Street that was mentioned a few posts up might have been my husband. He was mugged walking home late at night from the station, by three youths, unfortunately they got his laptop and pushed him to the ground dislocating his shoulder in the process. He fought back like you, and well done you for holding on. He went to several id parades at the police station in Peckham, but couldn't id anyone, so the police never caught them. I have since thought about looking into self defence courses in ED, would anyone else be interested in exploring this?

[ClareC]

They are advertised in Townley Road clinic.......... Can't remember what the advert says but can look next time I am there if you like (Tue)

C

[sylvie]

I'd definitely be interested ... I'm always into learning more skills. If you don't mind looking, that would be great. Thank you.

[huncamunca]

Um

I would be wary of SD skills TBH, unless it involves freeing yourself to escape

for a bag snatch or mugging, its best practice to give it up, shout and get away asap. you cant mess if someone has a knife - this is the realms of Chuck Norris and Stallone films.then get home, jump in the car and when you see him later, run him over. Twice.

bur seriously - get away asap - if someone is prepared to practice a bit of street robbery, which is pretty much a definate custodial term these days, then they probabaly have few qualms about sticking you to avoid capture

[R&A]

i agree - nothing prepares you other than say what happened to you Sylvie.

i had a nasty thing happen to me, walking back from the bus stop at 7pm (coming back from work) in December '07. I did all the right things after i realised i was being followed, took keys out and had them ready, turned around and looked at him directly, walked with purpose towards my house.

however i passed out, probably from shock/fear when i was tripped up by the man. On coming round i just screamed and thankfully two men came running to help. So now i feel better prepared probably cos i'm a little braver and will scream earlier or just run as soon as i realise i'm being followed. Everything else seems futile... He was massive - i had no chance.

I too am quite a strong person but it took a while to not have the jumpy thing. But as has already been mentioned, it does go and now i'm completely fine

All the best

[Weegee]

Im sad to read this. Last night I was driving at Traffic lights near Sainsburys Dog Kennel Hill and I saw a suited guy chasing a youth. The suited guy was shouting at the youth. Sadly it looked the guy (who was probably on way home from work) had been mugged.

I felt sorry for him.

One reassuring thing I saw though, the night before was a Special Constable walking along our road.

Maybe we need more Community/Special Policeman patrolling round these high risk areas?

[Sue]

Weegee Wrote:

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> Last night I was driving at

> Traffic lights near Sainsburys Dog Kennel Hill and

> I saw a suited guy chasing a youth. The suited guy

> was shouting at the youth. Sadly it looked the guy

> (who was probably on way home from work) had been

> mugged.

>

xxxxxxxxx

Did you call the police?

[Beulah]

Or how about proper police officers patrolling near the train stations and the main routes people take home?

So that sounds like 2 x robberies (mugging makes it sound less of a crime than it really is) around East Dulwich station in the past 2 weeks.

And that's just the ones we've heard about from on here.

[mrs f]

Hi Sylvie,

So sorry to hear about this. I was also mugged about 3 years ago, at 6/6:30 walking home from work, I lived in Forest Hill at the time and was 1 street away from my house, had just walked through a passage way between two council estates following close behing another rail passenger but then as I was so close to home and had passed through the 'dodgy' bit of the walk I slowed down (the man I was following was walking a bit too quick for me) and that is when the two guys (hoods/caps and heads down) walked towards me and one grabbed me and one grabbed my bag. I pinched the one holding me so hard in his nipple (seriously), he yelped! and I held onto my bag for dear life as well as screaming at the top of my voice help me! In the end (probably about 3 secconds later!) the two guys were too strong and they pushed me to the floor and got the bag... when you are in a situation like this you don't have time to think of what to do, you just do what comes naturally....

I had an ambulance arrive and police cars very swiftly (The guy I was following ran back and someone from one of the houses came out) but dispite a drive around the guys were never caught and I'm pretty sure they would have done it again... depite the sore nipple!

I was terrifed of walking home from work and unfortunatly it was November so it was always dark when I got out of work...

My work security guards heard about it (my work secruity pass was in my bag so had to report it) and gave me a personal alarm which I carried for a while but they are a pain and tend to go off at the worst moments... (at the top of the Eye (air pressure)) trying to get keys out of bag at waterloo station etc and really you have to hold it in your hand poised and that is a horrible way to live...

It does get better but I was very jumpy for months which is really horrible, but please be assured it will get better and you will feel 'normal' again.

Perhaps don't avoid the area altogether, if you can walk that way again otherwise it might become somthing bigger than it was, it could have happened to anyone at any point on that road at any time, it was just bad luck.

Hope you feel better soon...

xx