Streetlife

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Lone women talking on smart phones in public beware!

Last week I witnessed a mugging on Balham High Road. A young boy was attacking a woman for her smart phone. The police told me that there have been a series of muggings in the Wandsworth area for smart phones - and the targets are lone women talking on their smart phones - either at bus stops or walking along the road - often during day light hours in crowded areas. Pregnant women and mothers pushing buggies are seen as particularly vulnerable targets. 

Please be careful - if you fall into this group - please don't use your smart phones in public.

Comments

Showing 13 of 13
Tigger knows best
Female also had her iPhone stolen on Battersea Bridge Road a couple of weeks ago. Two youths on cycle.
Kevin H
My girlfriend got mugged just off Tooting high street a couple of weeks ago, she was on the phone and it was late, they grabbed her and snatched her bag. Some neighbours have said 2 more muggings have happened since in the area - both lone women
Sonja K
thanks for the warning :-)
Colette A
On Wandsworth common also. I saw two separate incidents last month. One at 5pm and one at 9am
john f
Not just lone women, sadly anyone is a target, I saw a guy chasing a cyclist that had grabbed his phone in Clapham two years ago.
HP
I was followed and my Blackberry Torch was snatched off me too - though this was in Stratford, but it happens everywhere and I cringe now when I see someone walking along chatting away on their iPhone now, visibly distracted, especially in the dark. Also don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt! I did this when the guy followed me for ages (starting at a bus stop) and I shouldn't have just thought he probably lived near me, like I did!
Linda S
The last time my bag was snatched, was by a cyclist on the pavement on Battersea Bridge. You don't have a chance to even identify the thieves; they are so fast!
The police don't seem to take cycling on the pavement seriously. It is illegal. If they  fined and photographed the miscreants, maybe we could trace more of the phone and bag thieves.
andrew h
@Lynda. that is good point.
Sarah M
Happened to me at Battersea high street bus stop- young teenage boy on a bike- when he should've been in school!! Luckily I grabbed phone back and he only got away with my oyster card. Be very wary!
Kameliya H
I know about this feature "Find my phone"?
It should work
Gwen E
I think bike should be registered and be obliged to show clearly visible number plates. I know cyclists have a tough time, motorists are horrid to them  and we pedestrians behave like the brain-dead and walk out in front of them, but cyclists, even those not out to steal phones, do seem on the whole to be getting more agressive and zoom around on the pavement and ignore pedestrian crossings and traffic lights.
Tina N
Another one to be aware of I'm afraid..A friend of a friend was having a drink sat down outside (that one warm evening we've had this year!!) on Wandsworth Old town and someone on a moped snatched her bag and sped off. We need to all be so aware and take precautions - attach them to chair legs etc. Not just on table or floor. Thank you all for posting it makes us wake up a bit. Even in 'nothing ever happens in Tooting' much appreciated !

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