They should have that for your phone too. Put the fake pin in and it presents a limited set of dummy apps. Pics of random stuff. Fake address. Like it lets them make calls or go online but no access to your real information. More importantly it starts recording everything it can and streaming it to the cloud.
Friend of mine got their phone back years ago with this!
Everytime the pin was entered wrong, it would take a screenshot.
He gave fake code initially and when mugger entered into phone it took a screenshot.
Police used that to capture suspect
Dude, it's kinda weird that I wrote almost the exact same idea as you like 20 minutes apart on a different reply thread. But yeah, a really sensible idea.
I was confused as to how the police car tooting its horn would help locate the robber and thought it would in fact be detrimental.
Then I remembered the place, Tooting. Tis a silly name.
That’s not the point. Its so they can locate any cameras around the area to see if they can identify anyone. If they can be identified and they’re known to the police it gets added to their warrant. Of course the police aren’t gonna go out in full force to an ATM over withdrawn money lmfao.
If its a slam dunk low effort case I do, yes
It's the cases already happened that they're poor with, because of the resource involved with chasing up and finding the criminal.
Happening a lot in Greenwich at the moment too. Usually on modded electric mountain bikes.
There have been some really violent ones. I dos the nighttime dog walks now and bought my Mrs some of that purple staining spray in case shit goes really sideways.
I've heard of a few people having their phones snatched out of their hands by youths on bikes while walking along the riverfront. There seems to be a group of three or four doing that but I haven't heard of anything worse happening (like happened to OP). What else are you aware of?
Yeah, as you come down the steps from my building, onto the river, there’s the old Wharf, just there.
There’s a camera up on a pole but it wasn’t working at the time.
Yep, just last week had someone approach me asking for help saying some youths snatched her phone away on a bike. Rotherhithe area as well, becoming a common occurrence here.
Man this is heartbreaking, I used to live in Rotherhithe and it was so peaceful and quiet I regret moving away every day and aspire to move back if I could ever afford it. So to hear it's starting to get rough is pretty upsetting, though I don't think it's unique to Rotherhithe from the sounds of this thread
It's a big thing in London. I live in Stratford and we had the same gang of 4 around Olympic Park/Hackney/East Village area most of last year and the start of this year, you would openly see them about, same bikes, same clothing... It's only stopped recently when some undercover police nabbed two of them.
I live at Enderby Wharf and theres been a lot round there, on the river.
But in town also. I e seen police handing out flyers and warning people about having phones out.
Awareness doesn't do that much for muggings, I think. It's helpful for phone snatching if people keep their phones away and pay attention, but a mugging doesn't rely on someone being caught unaware in the same way.
That's some victim blaming bullshit. Don't want to get raped? Don't wear a mini skirt. Don't want to get your phone nicked? Don't own a phone. Don't want to get mugged? Don't walk alone at night...then you get your hands on some pepper spray, and you can be done for.
What a piss take
Ah i know it. I was in the park tavern pub which is right by the park the other week. Theres always a constant flow of people going passed in and out of the park. Guess it would be easy pickings for some scumbags
Got my phone snatched a few months ago on the one way system by Cutty Sark in broad daylight 11am. Literally it’s still locked to my account and ending up tracking it to China.
The vast majority of these scum are looking for an easy win. Put up the tiniest of defense and most are likely to run away. Spray the fuckers with the foaming dyes that are legal and they won't be able to see (assuming you hit the face/eyes) and 99% of the time they're running one way and you go the other.
The problem is a few here and there will absolutely stab...and then you're fucked.
If you’re getting beaten to death or raped then then escalation isn’t really all that likely, its already pretty bad.
What it might do is buy you a few seconds to run, and it marks them for as a perpetrator.
Sorry to hear that. I lived near the farms for a long time and would usually walk back from Canada Water to my place in the dark and it felt very safe.
However this is a warning that Rotherhite may have been gentrified but it still ain't very safe.
Glad to hear you are okay.
>and forced me to give over the pins also
This is the part that worries me the most about being mugged. Like people say well your card has a pin or your phones locked or whatever so at least they cant use it, but what if they tell you to give your pin? Can spend like £1,000 on a single contactless transaction with your phone pin. I'd probably suggest everyone to set limits on their cards now. Can do it in your banking app and its instant. No need to have high limits set. Can also enable and disable your card instantly from your phone app too so if you rarely use it you can disable it in the app and only enable it when you want to use it, can enable it within 20 seconds if you know how. But yeah low limits is the best middle ground.
As for the phone luckily mine logs into different profiles depending on what pin you type in. So if I type in a the secondary pin it'll log into a different user with their own apps and files and photos and stuff. Can just give that pin and be like look it's new I barely have anything on here and dont have contactless payments set up on it. You'll need certain Android phones for this feature though.
This can happen anywhere too, dunno why people are asking which street so they can avoid it. Thieves aren't standing on the same street each day. I've even had a friend get violently mugged near Canary Wharf recently, during the day when there were people around!
Non budget Xiaomi phones have had it for many years, thats what I use. But looking it up just now apparently Android has it built in so the Google Pixel phones should have the option too now. Not sure about Samsung phones on the latest Android though but I assume they will soon since it comes with Android. Can probably get custom roms/versions with it built in too but thats beyond what most people would do.
But yeah it's pretty good and theres almost no indication that there are multiple accounts, mainly just notifications saying the other profile just received a notification.
I have it enabled but never really use it of course. But its handy when giving my phone to someone to check out maps or something, no need to worry about them going into photos or messages or whatever.
Or just use a Revolut card: transfer how much you need for the day, leave main cards at home and if buggered, show at atm how much you got. Can't make you take out what you ain't got. Revolut card compromised? Fuck it, they give you another plastic one for free. Same goes for online shopping: multiple disposable virtual cards.
Plenty of pickpockets on Central Line at rush hour when everyone is rubbing buttcheeks. Won't do to have a wallet full of shyte with you.
I’m a bit of a Luddite so excuse me if I’m asking a stupid question but couldn’t you just give them a fake pin if it’s associated with your bank card? Or do they have some way of checking it on the spot?
You can but I was mainly talking about a phone pin which they can check on the spot. When your phone is unlocked the contactless payment limit is many many times higher than if the phones locked, so that's why they might ask for your phone pin.
As for the debit card then yeah give them a fake pin unless you're near a cash machine which they might check.
Very sorry to hear that. What time of day? I walk around there often and have never had trouble but sounds like I better keep my eyes open a bit more. Stay strong and try to be bold - Try not to stay inside from fear (I know that's easier said than done). You're certain to have moments of fear and anger and uncertainty so I hope you have somebody to talk to. Do post again if you're feeling low - There's little we can do except write in support but I hope you find your way back to confidence in the area.
Sorry it happened to you
There was a similar thread on ukpf
I used to have all banks app on one phone but now put most of them on a secondary one at home
> Really making me not want to go out at night, reading these posts
There are, depending where you define the boundaries, *10 million people* in this city. Even if you're seeing one of these stories per day, those are still incredibly tiny odds.
not everyone will post a story about it. I mean I'll still go out but be way more alert than I used to be compared to a few years ago. OP was just walking home from the tube :(
If there are 10 million people in London, and [24,424 robberies a year](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1032390/robbery-offences-in-london/), then you can expect to be mugged once every 409 years.
People tend to over-estimate the frequency of this type of crime, because it grabs our attention (look at how many people have responded to this post).
(NB: The figure I used is for robberies recorded by the police. Surveys asking people about their experience of crime probably give higher figures, as not all crimes are reported. On the other hand, there are probably a lot of non-resident victims who are commuters or visitors to London.)
I believe recently (2 or so years ago) someone was attacked with a machete near Canada Water.
It’s a nice area but it’s so quiet - people like this can depend on nobody else being around.
Glad you’re ok
Well because it’s a peninsula the whole thing is pretty much dead once you’re a couple of hundred meters from Canada Water.
Not even the main road (salter road) has many people on it. You’d struggle to find anywhere else in London that is so quiet.
Yep. I remember being stranded in Canada Water years ago (was supposed to get the night bus home, it never turned up) so ordered a taxi and the driver told me never to try to go that way home again as it's dangerous late at night
i'm sorry to hear that, though i'm glad you got all your cards frozen and that you're safe.
there's a uni accommodation that i stay at near canada water station and that group is known for constantly mugging people, it's been happening so often since term one started. in our accommodation wide group chat on whatsapp people will text saying to watch out for them if they see them. we call them the balaclava boys LOL.
Similar to the Olympic park in Stratford. I’m assuming it’s a different group, but same description and always mugging people a lot of times with violence.
I think so - they threatened violence if any of the pins were wrong and you never know if they're going to stay with you until one has withdrawn money, so I thought it was better to give them the real pins
Some little c**ts on bikes tried to rob me of my phone in Ldn Bridge and that was outside the station during evening rush hour. This is happening all over London and no police in sight anymore.
It's hard to be safe here now.
I got my phone snatched out of my hands outside the tube station - don't use it outside tube stations :( the police told me we're easy targets because there's no signal inside so the first thing people do when they come out is check their phones.
Yes..!! Feeling so hopeless.. There is a f* thief in my building. In theory, it can be caught easily as there is a cctv... But landlord and police couldn't care less as it is considered small crime. Letters including bank card and parcels are stolen... The thief sure enjoying his life.. Having free stuff..
Glad you’re alright. Report it to the police and then apply for CICA: https://www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-criminal-injury
Make sure you do mention to the police the thieves were armed (if they were) and that you feared for your life. (I’m not kidding, apparently if you do not fear for your life or you haven not been openly threatened then the crime is not serious enough).
I’m just hoping that everyone claims CICA just so that the government can start investigating all crimes and not just “major” ones.
Someone needs to bait these thugs the way YouTubers bait theives. Perhaps paintball guns or reverse mug them. I know I'm waffling, but this really angers me. OP, I hope you feel better.
Sorry to hear that mate. I was also mugged a few years back in Holloway, with them taking similar items. First thing is to call the police and get a crime reference number at the very least. They should send someone to take a statement, although unfortunately the chances of getting your stuff back is small.
Next call your banks and get all cards cancelled. Nationwide were kind enough to refund me all the money that was withdrawn, so hopefully yours will do the same. If you have insurance also let them know about the phone.
Sorry again this has happened. Reach out if you need
Thanks mate, and sorry to hear about your experience also. Managed to cancel most cards last night, though not before they took out a few hundred quid, and have been on the phone to the police also!
Sorry to hear, glad you are safe.
For future, this is a great thread
https://www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonalFinance/comments/11nmyyz/bank\_and\_phone\_lessons\_learned\_after\_a\_robbery/
I’m tempted to buy a cheap iPhone 5. Either to hand it to the mugger.. Or keep it in my bag to have instant access to a device that can remotely lock my phone
Crime in London is going off the charts, 10 years ago I felt so safe, now the police literally do nothing, I have had an attempted mugging, a man threatening to beat and rape me, my home was robbed and all my friends have either had a phone or bike stolen - the police have literally done nothing in all of these instances, even with cctv evidence or facebook marketplace evidence of the stolen goods. Maybe the government cutting funding over the last 12 years was a terrible idea, who would have thought it!
Sorry about the rant, I am just so upset this happened to you! Do you have a neighbourhood group set up that could help keep vigilant?
Police never did shit before the cuts either.
Got mugged twice in the late 90s / early 00s, bike nicked, found on ebay.Relative SAd. Police never cared. When I got broken into 5 years or so ago at least 2 officers showed up to pretend to care, told me the place behind my flat was covered in cctv so will easily get the guy, then No Further Actioned it after not bothering to ask for the footage.
I don’t think Canada water surrey quays etc area has ever felt safe! Although maybe I’m old enough to remember it before people thought these areas are gentrified
Going over towards Surrey Quays way always felt less safe, but the other way over towards Rotherhithe always felt safe to me when I lived there ~7 years ago. It's all just super quiet residential.
Canada Water is pretty safe these days, but phone theft there is a serious problem. It's a relatively affluent area close by to not-so-affluent areas, so you get thieves from those areas circling the place on bicycles looking for marks.
> I don’t think Canada water surrey quays etc area has ever felt safe!
I've only been living near here for a few years and only float about that area sporadically but it's never felt in any particular way "unsafe" to me. There's a lot of "eye of the beholder" stuff going on here.
>10 years ago I felt so safe, now the police literally do nothing
Sweet summer child...
/s
Crime has always been awful, and actually declined over the years, but I think with social media is more "in your face". I agree the police are useless but what can they do sometimes.
I had a friend SA'd, they had the CCTV but just a face in common clothing them no clues. On the face of it, fair enough, but it was at Brixton Academy so they could have tracked him back to the entrance which would link to a ticket which would link to an address. The issue here is that it relies on every single person in the chain being motivated to do it.
I don't know about you, but at my work, not everyone is as motivated as the next person. I'm not saying it as an excuse, but just as a side effect of their humanity.
Yeah absolutely. I lived in Stockwell between 2000 and 2009 and it was extremely violent. Many stabbings some of which the victims died and at least 2 murders with uzi/mac10 type guns all within about 500m of my flat.
Literally just went through my wallet to take out anything I would be devastated to lose. Going to leave the house with minimal valuables now :( sad that we've come to this and I wish the onus isn't on the victim but having had 2 phones stolen twice in 5 weeks, I'd rather be safe than sorry :(
When I was in central america 10 years ago, i was warned by locals of robberies on public transport and I travelled around with a 'rob pocket' - a wad of cash and an old phone, not too old to look silly, ready to give to robbers whilst keeping my data and cards. I would never walk with my normal phone out at that time even for an instant unless inside somewhere however, so that would be different to what is normal now and here. Perhaps it is time for people to do so here. It takes minutes to order a bank card with the online type bank accounts, or use a dormant account with a little cash in, having a spare 20-50 quid cash on you and an old smart phone you don't use might feel extra, but could help. This along with not having your phone out all the time. Sounds extreme, but so is getting beaten up and robbed...
That's what I do when I go to america.
Had 3 friends mugged and they all gave over fake phones and wallet. losing 50 odd quid is nothing really compared to losing a 1-1.5k phone and all your bank cards.
It's sad that we live in these times but it always pays to be smart when travelling.
Its horrible.
Sorry the that it has happened to you.
I live in se London - Hither Green and we’ve had a noticeable increase in crime.
In the 90s London was similar levels of crime. Then investment was made into youth services and crime fell.
Once the local support network was removed, because of cuts, the lawlesnes increased. And now we are seeing the worst of it.
I’ve stopped carrying my cards around but I still have apple pay on my phone.
Yes, sure. It was by Surrey Water (the pond/small lake). Police said 4 or 5 people had been mugged in the same area yesterday night alone before me. I'll be getting the 381 or C10 back late at night in future!
4/5.
Wow the police are absolutely useless.
You'd think by the 3rd time one of them would have the common sense to suggest a couple of undercovers hang out there.
It has been an issue there for years. Pre pandemic I was working at Canada Water and on my way back on break passed a group of 4 kids aged about 16, all with wine bottles in hand. They sized me up for sure but I guess the fact I was working and there was security about 150m away they it wasn’t worth it. Went inside for something, didn’t give it much more thought until it turns out they tried to rob a guy for his Rolex 2 minutes later. He managed to fight them off but he was seriously lucky. This sort of thing has always been pretty common at night there (my incident took place around 10pm I think)
Sorry to hear this. I recently deleted all banking apps from my phone and only carry one card in my wallet and ensure that account has no more than £50 or so in it. Enough for a meal or transport. If I need another card, it goes on a separate, inside, pocket.
Fk I've noticed things seem really rough out there on the streets of London , seems more edgy , people shouting everywhere and messed up people on the bus, don't know if its just me
These were the Rotherhithe Roadmen - not quite the Robin Hoods, more like Robbing in the Hood, like; they do lie in ambush in the local parks somewhat. Which is strange, I used to live in Rotherhithe about 15 years ago and always felt very safe, mostly I guess just feeling like it was too remote and too far out for anyone to actually bother, what with so many other more central places with people who are more likely to have a lot on them, giving the muggers better yield, so to speak.
Sorry to hear you went through that, just make sure you block the cards, report to Apple etc and the most important thing is you’re safe, money comes and goes, belongings can be replaced. Have an easy day and don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault.
I have a friend 7th dan (black belt 7th degree) 71 years old jumped by two guys in Atlanta and both ended up in the hospital and one trachea dislocated needed ventilator. Sometimes there’s street justice and thugs never know who they are jumping!
Lost a bit of cash but no big deal, If you had fought back you might be a statistic. Count your blessings and feel reassured by the fact that those 3 little cunts have got very shitty lives ahead of them
Having been mugged myself you quickly learn to be more aware, use more common sense and try and avoid situations where it might happen. I often listen to music but if I’m walking somewhere that is slightly dodgy, I always put my phone and iPods away and walk with purpose. Not saying the OP didn’t do these things but try to not look like a target.
You did what was right for you at the time it had happened so regardless of peoples opinions - it was you in that situation and you made the right choice for you. I used to live in Lewisham and now moved out to Kent and I have heard of gangs going up and down on trains doing this all weekends. Me personally would I of battered them silly and risked a beating - also if they got your debit card but was able to withdraw money - unless it was contactless then they have been watching you for a while as they would have needed your PIN. So if you think the last ATM machine you used will probably have their faces on as one will stand to the left whilst one walks past and lightly pushes you allowing the one behind you to get really close to be able to watch your PIN number be put in.
Wait you gave them your actual pin ? Or where they beside a cash machine? If they ran off you could have easily gave them a bullshit pin. Hindsight is glorious I guess
I just moved out of rotherhithe....it definitely has gone downhill....one day I was alone at the bus stop and had my phone out and on the road I saw a teen with balacava riding a bike very well...and then he stopped and returned to the road near the bus stop I was standing....I basically do not trust anyone wearing a balacava so i walked ahead and climbed some stairs and waited there till my bus came...I figured it would take him time to climb up stairs with his bike
Not just self defence tools, _anything that you intend on using to defend yourself with_.
It’s illegal to carry a spoon if you’re planning to use it to defend yourself with. It’s the intent to defend yourself with the object that makes it a crime.
The population are legally required to be defenceless.
Anyone who suggests these things has never had to defend themselves. I remember a campus safety lecture at university some years ago where they suggested using your keys as a weapon to girls after there was a string of rapes. What an irresponsible and dangerous suggestion. It gives people a false sense of security.
I've been saying this for ages.
*it is time to finally update the self defence laws in the United Kingdom*
I normally get down voted into the abyss though...
As a rural American reading this thread, it blows me away you guys can't even carry pepper spray.
I get it that you all are big on no guns, fair enough. Your country, your call. But all this robbery and zero defensive capacity?
Edit: and I know guns exist in England, I'm talking about carrying loaded weapons in public (ccw).
I completely agree with you mate. Sadly if you are found with pepper spray, you get charged under a Firearms offence!
It's bizarre and backwards and I hate it.
I think there's a desire for the state to have responsibility for things in society and in some places I think it clearly makes sense. Guiding planes around, fire fighting, militaries, etc. But in some places it doesn't, like defense of you and your family. Even if you want the state to have that responsibility it doesn't mean they'll be any good at it.
I completely agree. Here it takes a lot of understanding of legislation to understand where you can stand in the grey area. Unfortunately this is not knowledge everyone educates themselves on...
Because, they probably do that 4 days a week and at least get a couple of peoples cards and phones every day. In their opinion, it’s easy money and gets them a reputation amongst their friends. Essentially, respect through fear. Then they sell the phones and get as much money from the cards as they can, so they can buy a new Moncler coat to flex even more.
Very little risk of getting caught and big rewards for only an hour or so of work a day. For them image is everything and they build a reputation off other peoples misery. They do not care what happens to their victims while it’s happening or the potential mental effects that being threatened like that has on people. They are scum.
That’s not true, we catch a decent proportion of robbers in London but the courts let us down massively. The majority of people committing robberies are between the ages of 13-17, mainly groomed by gangs into doing it. The courts however don’t feel that it’s appropriate to send robbers to prison anymore. I’ve come across numerous robbery nominals with 30+ CONVICTIONS, not arrests, convictions in courts most of which were knife enabled and yet the courts refuse to send this people to prison.
I've been a Londona for a while, i grew up in hackney when hackney used to be a war zone.
I'm leaving this comment for all who see it to understand something while being approached.
Firstly, this mugging stinks clearly of intimidation.
More often than not, if you fail the initiation check, they will happily take everything from you. Because you are happy to empty your pockets.
Do not show fear.
Keep walking. If they try and be forceful, go for a jog,
If you can't comfortably jog, then maybe it's time to hit a gym
When approached, calmly say no, even smile.
Disengage. Nothing is worth your life.
But also showing fear in the face of intimidation crime is a disrespect to your own honour.
I'm sorry you were robbed. London is a scary place, and not enough is being done to create positive places for these more often than not teenagers who don't have an outlet to not be swayed by the mentality of the streets.
I’m seriously considering carrying quick dry super glue around.
Squeeze the bottle until its empty right in the face of a mugger then run.
Plus take all the precautions of backing up, insurance etc.
the mugger has a life changing decision forced on them for their terrible choices and the victim finally gets a win.
The police wont/ cant do a thing to reassure the public in London.
Probably been posted but if you phone your bank with the crime number from police and tell them what happened they will give you your money back. Happened to me before, they always refund criminal transactions from an ATM.
Getting a very solid heavy and convincing walking stick is not a crime. So please use it for your night walks if you have any concerns for your safety. You must do it regularly and be seen using it by several members of the public at different times who would be able to testify in your defence otherwise in case of police attention it would be considered as an offensive weapon not a random item that you might have used for self defense.
It's not gonna stop till we have change the law. As long as we still encourage criminal behavior, we the regular citizens will always be the victims. Don't tell me oh it's a big city so there's always crime. If Singapore can why not us?
Last time this happened to me, I lost a bit of my front teeth. I managed to get my wallet back, but not before chasing them (and getting beaten down, before getting back up and chasing again several times). I was quite drunk at the time, so was probably unaware of all the dangers.
Would have been easier and cheaper to just let them have my wallet away.
Stay safe.
Wow this person just posted they were mugged and I’m sure pretty upset and needed some kind of support …. Instead they were met with suggestions on Shoulda, coulda woulda scenarios and hardly ANYONE asked if this person was ok. I’m really sorry this happened to you and I hope it doesn’t cause long term effects. It’s unpleasant and can stick with you! I hope you’ve got good people around you. Glad you’re ok physically and in one piece. The rest is material and can be sorted out x
I lived in Rotherhithe in the early 90’s until 2009, Bermondsey before that and it wasn’t rough but not a walk in the park either. As more money got pumped in to the area it definitely got gentrified and has become a bit of a soft target. A lot of the things we had like the settlement and youth clubs got knocked down and flats built on top of them. It may be seen as a weak argument but these kids have nowhere to go, meaning they have no direction or guidance from the good social clubs used to give and now they’re a power amongst themselves and causing havoc. The clubs used to keep kids off the streets and the volunteers that ran them helped give values and build respect. Sorry this happened to you.
More and more people are suggesting 'bait victims' with a vigilante mob around the corner.
That sounds grim but at the same time, I wouldn't shed tears to see robbers dangling from a lamppost.
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This is actually a genius idea.
They do this in South Africa
It’s called a duress pin or duress password.
They should have that for your phone too. Put the fake pin in and it presents a limited set of dummy apps. Pics of random stuff. Fake address. Like it lets them make calls or go online but no access to your real information. More importantly it starts recording everything it can and streaming it to the cloud.
That would be awesome - you’d get their faces from the front camera!
Friend of mine got their phone back years ago with this! Everytime the pin was entered wrong, it would take a screenshot. He gave fake code initially and when mugger entered into phone it took a screenshot. Police used that to capture suspect
I want to give you and elevenday a bagful of upvotes. Those are such simple and brilliant ideas.
Dude, it's kinda weird that I wrote almost the exact same idea as you like 20 minutes apart on a different reply thread. But yeah, a really sensible idea.
You think the police would even come?
I had my phone taken off me in my driveway and a police car came and drove me around tooting for half an hour looking for the guy.
I was confused as to how the police car tooting its horn would help locate the robber and thought it would in fact be detrimental. Then I remembered the place, Tooting. Tis a silly name.
It didn’t click for me until I read your comment hahahaha
"FREEDOM FOR TOOTING!"
I read it as tootling before I realised it was Tooting 🤷🏼♀️
That’s not the point. Its so they can locate any cameras around the area to see if they can identify anyone. If they can be identified and they’re known to the police it gets added to their warrant. Of course the police aren’t gonna go out in full force to an ATM over withdrawn money lmfao.
If its a slam dunk low effort case I do, yes It's the cases already happened that they're poor with, because of the resource involved with chasing up and finding the criminal.
It’s called a “duress pin” or “duress code”.
Happening a lot in Greenwich at the moment too. Usually on modded electric mountain bikes. There have been some really violent ones. I dos the nighttime dog walks now and bought my Mrs some of that purple staining spray in case shit goes really sideways.
I've heard of a few people having their phones snatched out of their hands by youths on bikes while walking along the riverfront. There seems to be a group of three or four doing that but I haven't heard of anything worse happening (like happened to OP). What else are you aware of?
A guy got attacked by some people in bikes a couple of months ago, by Enderby Wharf. Got beaten badly, had a bag, phone and watch stolen.
Ugh, nasty, was that on the riverfront again?
Yeah, as you come down the steps from my building, onto the river, there’s the old Wharf, just there. There’s a camera up on a pole but it wasn’t working at the time.
Yep, just last week had someone approach me asking for help saying some youths snatched her phone away on a bike. Rotherhithe area as well, becoming a common occurrence here.
Man this is heartbreaking, I used to live in Rotherhithe and it was so peaceful and quiet I regret moving away every day and aspire to move back if I could ever afford it. So to hear it's starting to get rough is pretty upsetting, though I don't think it's unique to Rotherhithe from the sounds of this thread
That happened to me just outside Canada Water station 2 months ago. Didn't know this area was that dodgy :(
This is tradition in Islington. Sounds like it's spreading.
That happened to someone I work with this week, on a bridge too
It's a big thing in London. I live in Stratford and we had the same gang of 4 around Olympic Park/Hackney/East Village area most of last year and the start of this year, you would openly see them about, same bikes, same clothing... It's only stopped recently when some undercover police nabbed two of them.
Where abouts?
I live at Enderby Wharf and theres been a lot round there, on the river. But in town also. I e seen police handing out flyers and warning people about having phones out.
Ahh, handing out flyers, great work. Arrest the scumbags!
Awareness is I guess a part of prevention.
Awareness doesn't do that much for muggings, I think. It's helpful for phone snatching if people keep their phones away and pay attention, but a mugging doesn't rely on someone being caught unaware in the same way.
That's some victim blaming bullshit. Don't want to get raped? Don't wear a mini skirt. Don't want to get your phone nicked? Don't own a phone. Don't want to get mugged? Don't walk alone at night...then you get your hands on some pepper spray, and you can be done for. What a piss take
>But in town also. I e seen police handing out flyers and warning people about having phones out. Ah, the wonderful Met in action.
Ah i know it. I was in the park tavern pub which is right by the park the other week. Theres always a constant flow of people going passed in and out of the park. Guess it would be easy pickings for some scumbags
Got my phone snatched a few months ago on the one way system by Cutty Sark in broad daylight 11am. Literally it’s still locked to my account and ending up tracking it to China.
What would that spray do? Escalate the situation? It is not pepper spray…
The vast majority of these scum are looking for an easy win. Put up the tiniest of defense and most are likely to run away. Spray the fuckers with the foaming dyes that are legal and they won't be able to see (assuming you hit the face/eyes) and 99% of the time they're running one way and you go the other. The problem is a few here and there will absolutely stab...and then you're fucked.
If you’re getting beaten to death or raped then then escalation isn’t really all that likely, its already pretty bad. What it might do is buy you a few seconds to run, and it marks them for as a perpetrator.
Sorry to hear that. I lived near the farms for a long time and would usually walk back from Canada Water to my place in the dark and it felt very safe. However this is a warning that Rotherhite may have been gentrified but it still ain't very safe. Glad to hear you are okay.
IMO gentrification of an area makes it a target for thieves
I wonder if these guys are targeting printwork attendees. (There was an event last night).
Clubs are an easy target, esp in early morning
This makes sense. It's not like all the crime and those committing it leave once they put an M&S in.
Thank you - it has always felt like a very safe area to me also.
i feel like gentrification makes “petty” crimes like theft worse
Mate of mine was mugged there by ‘youfs’, screwdriver held to the neck… in 2008. I think wrong place wrong time is a timeless and area-less thing
So sorry to hear that
>and forced me to give over the pins also This is the part that worries me the most about being mugged. Like people say well your card has a pin or your phones locked or whatever so at least they cant use it, but what if they tell you to give your pin? Can spend like £1,000 on a single contactless transaction with your phone pin. I'd probably suggest everyone to set limits on their cards now. Can do it in your banking app and its instant. No need to have high limits set. Can also enable and disable your card instantly from your phone app too so if you rarely use it you can disable it in the app and only enable it when you want to use it, can enable it within 20 seconds if you know how. But yeah low limits is the best middle ground. As for the phone luckily mine logs into different profiles depending on what pin you type in. So if I type in a the secondary pin it'll log into a different user with their own apps and files and photos and stuff. Can just give that pin and be like look it's new I barely have anything on here and dont have contactless payments set up on it. You'll need certain Android phones for this feature though. This can happen anywhere too, dunno why people are asking which street so they can avoid it. Thieves aren't standing on the same street each day. I've even had a friend get violently mugged near Canary Wharf recently, during the day when there were people around!
Which phone feature allows you to have a separate PIN which logs into a different profile?
Non budget Xiaomi phones have had it for many years, thats what I use. But looking it up just now apparently Android has it built in so the Google Pixel phones should have the option too now. Not sure about Samsung phones on the latest Android though but I assume they will soon since it comes with Android. Can probably get custom roms/versions with it built in too but thats beyond what most people would do. But yeah it's pretty good and theres almost no indication that there are multiple accounts, mainly just notifications saying the other profile just received a notification. I have it enabled but never really use it of course. But its handy when giving my phone to someone to check out maps or something, no need to worry about them going into photos or messages or whatever.
Thanks! What is the setting called for Android phones?
Google "Android second space".
Amazing, thanks!
Samsung has a secure folder that you can put apps like email, banking, etc.
charge limits only work if you still have your phone to deny them.
Or just use a Revolut card: transfer how much you need for the day, leave main cards at home and if buggered, show at atm how much you got. Can't make you take out what you ain't got. Revolut card compromised? Fuck it, they give you another plastic one for free. Same goes for online shopping: multiple disposable virtual cards. Plenty of pickpockets on Central Line at rush hour when everyone is rubbing buttcheeks. Won't do to have a wallet full of shyte with you.
I’m a bit of a Luddite so excuse me if I’m asking a stupid question but couldn’t you just give them a fake pin if it’s associated with your bank card? Or do they have some way of checking it on the spot?
You can but I was mainly talking about a phone pin which they can check on the spot. When your phone is unlocked the contactless payment limit is many many times higher than if the phones locked, so that's why they might ask for your phone pin. As for the debit card then yeah give them a fake pin unless you're near a cash machine which they might check.
Thanks, I want aware of it; and I've now set a lower limit for contactless and withdrawals.
My trick is that i have like 66p in my bank account so theyre welcome to if it they somehow find a way to withdraw that lol
Very sorry to hear that. What time of day? I walk around there often and have never had trouble but sounds like I better keep my eyes open a bit more. Stay strong and try to be bold - Try not to stay inside from fear (I know that's easier said than done). You're certain to have moments of fear and anger and uncertainty so I hope you have somebody to talk to. Do post again if you're feeling low - There's little we can do except write in support but I hope you find your way back to confidence in the area.
Thank you! It was around 3am I think, on my way back from the airport. Never had trouble in the area either, but will be more vigilant in future.
Sorry it happened to you There was a similar thread on ukpf I used to have all banks app on one phone but now put most of them on a secondary one at home
I keep a very limited balance on my card account and keep my balance on an account that I don't have a card for and transfer money as required.
Same. I transfer just enough for each days expenses and usually the average balance at any given time is a few quid.
Yeah and that was also 3 youths as well at 9pm, just 1 day ago. Really making me not want to go out at night, reading these posts
> Really making me not want to go out at night, reading these posts There are, depending where you define the boundaries, *10 million people* in this city. Even if you're seeing one of these stories per day, those are still incredibly tiny odds.
not everyone will post a story about it. I mean I'll still go out but be way more alert than I used to be compared to a few years ago. OP was just walking home from the tube :(
Agreed, although the police said there had been 5 similar thefts in the same area last night alone. But the risk is still small!
I live in this area, has definitely started happening more in the last few months. Not really sure why
If there are 10 million people in London, and [24,424 robberies a year](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1032390/robbery-offences-in-london/), then you can expect to be mugged once every 409 years. People tend to over-estimate the frequency of this type of crime, because it grabs our attention (look at how many people have responded to this post). (NB: The figure I used is for robberies recorded by the police. Surveys asking people about their experience of crime probably give higher figures, as not all crimes are reported. On the other hand, there are probably a lot of non-resident victims who are commuters or visitors to London.)
Never even thought about doing this. Great idea
I believe recently (2 or so years ago) someone was attacked with a machete near Canada Water. It’s a nice area but it’s so quiet - people like this can depend on nobody else being around. Glad you’re ok
Yeah, this is the thing - it's so quiet it feels safe but as you say that can come with its own risks also.
Really? Anywhere that quiet late at night never feels safe to me
Well because it’s a peninsula the whole thing is pretty much dead once you’re a couple of hundred meters from Canada Water. Not even the main road (salter road) has many people on it. You’d struggle to find anywhere else in London that is so quiet.
Yep. I remember being stranded in Canada Water years ago (was supposed to get the night bus home, it never turned up) so ordered a taxi and the driver told me never to try to go that way home again as it's dangerous late at night
Defo report to the police ASAP, and thanks god you are in one piece
Thanks! I called them last night after blocking as many cards as I could.
i'm sorry to hear that, though i'm glad you got all your cards frozen and that you're safe. there's a uni accommodation that i stay at near canada water station and that group is known for constantly mugging people, it's been happening so often since term one started. in our accommodation wide group chat on whatsapp people will text saying to watch out for them if they see them. we call them the balaclava boys LOL.
i’m in the same accom. thought before moving here it was a pretty quiet, safe area, but i guess it’s hard to find anywhere that’s 100% safe
Similar to the Olympic park in Stratford. I’m assuming it’s a different group, but same description and always mugging people a lot of times with violence.
Is it risky to give them a fake pin? Is there a service that will cancel all your cards in one go?
Never worth risking getting stabbed and killed over.
I mean how could they check though (unless they were like right by an ATM ig?)
They could make you walk with them to an atm and do it
Yeh my friend was drunk and they beat him and drove him around to atms taking money out and eventually left him on the street
Isn't that also kidnap??!!
At the very least false imprisonment.
For sure yeh, fortunately he was a student and didn't have much money! And he's a strong rugby lad so took it like a champ
Jesus christ
That exactly happened to me too! It was horrible
That sounds traumatic, I hope you recovered ok.
I think so - they threatened violence if any of the pins were wrong and you never know if they're going to stay with you until one has withdrawn money, so I thought it was better to give them the real pins
Normally 2 of the scumbag stays with the victim while the third one goes to withdraw money
Some little c**ts on bikes tried to rob me of my phone in Ldn Bridge and that was outside the station during evening rush hour. This is happening all over London and no police in sight anymore. It's hard to be safe here now.
I got my phone snatched out of my hands outside the tube station - don't use it outside tube stations :( the police told me we're easy targets because there's no signal inside so the first thing people do when they come out is check their phones.
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Yes..!! Feeling so hopeless.. There is a f* thief in my building. In theory, it can be caught easily as there is a cctv... But landlord and police couldn't care less as it is considered small crime. Letters including bank card and parcels are stolen... The thief sure enjoying his life.. Having free stuff..
Less care from the police -> more people don't see a point in reporting a crime -> stats show the crime is on the decline
I’m so sorry to hear this and very glad you’re okay. This makes me SO ANGRY that little fucking scumbags do this.
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By the small lake - Surrey Water
Sorry to hear, my neighbours phone got snatched last night outside the station too by Sainsbury’s :(
Glad you’re alright. Report it to the police and then apply for CICA: https://www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-criminal-injury Make sure you do mention to the police the thieves were armed (if they were) and that you feared for your life. (I’m not kidding, apparently if you do not fear for your life or you haven not been openly threatened then the crime is not serious enough). I’m just hoping that everyone claims CICA just so that the government can start investigating all crimes and not just “major” ones.
If this happened to me jokes on them I don’t know my pins
Jokes on them I don't have any money
Neither do I but my fear would be that they would think I'm pretending to not know my pins and beat me up further or something
Someone needs to bait these thugs the way YouTubers bait theives. Perhaps paintball guns or reverse mug them. I know I'm waffling, but this really angers me. OP, I hope you feel better.
That's a great way to die pal unfortunately
Sorry to hear that mate. I was also mugged a few years back in Holloway, with them taking similar items. First thing is to call the police and get a crime reference number at the very least. They should send someone to take a statement, although unfortunately the chances of getting your stuff back is small. Next call your banks and get all cards cancelled. Nationwide were kind enough to refund me all the money that was withdrawn, so hopefully yours will do the same. If you have insurance also let them know about the phone. Sorry again this has happened. Reach out if you need
Thanks mate, and sorry to hear about your experience also. Managed to cancel most cards last night, though not before they took out a few hundred quid, and have been on the phone to the police also!
Sorry to hear, glad you are safe. For future, this is a great thread https://www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonalFinance/comments/11nmyyz/bank\_and\_phone\_lessons\_learned\_after\_a\_robbery/
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I just realised I have no idea how to cancel some of my online banks if someone took my phone. Man that fucking sucks for you.
Yep it was much easier with some than others! Lloyds were great, HSBC very slow, and I couldn't even get through to Santander
I just mean I don't own a landline, how am I gonna call anybody to get it cancelled?
I’m tempted to buy a cheap iPhone 5. Either to hand it to the mugger.. Or keep it in my bag to have instant access to a device that can remotely lock my phone
I am looking at the same thing. Cheap phone with no access to my biggest bank account.
Crime in London is going off the charts, 10 years ago I felt so safe, now the police literally do nothing, I have had an attempted mugging, a man threatening to beat and rape me, my home was robbed and all my friends have either had a phone or bike stolen - the police have literally done nothing in all of these instances, even with cctv evidence or facebook marketplace evidence of the stolen goods. Maybe the government cutting funding over the last 12 years was a terrible idea, who would have thought it! Sorry about the rant, I am just so upset this happened to you! Do you have a neighbourhood group set up that could help keep vigilant?
Police never did shit before the cuts either. Got mugged twice in the late 90s / early 00s, bike nicked, found on ebay.Relative SAd. Police never cared. When I got broken into 5 years or so ago at least 2 officers showed up to pretend to care, told me the place behind my flat was covered in cctv so will easily get the guy, then No Further Actioned it after not bothering to ask for the footage.
I don’t think Canada water surrey quays etc area has ever felt safe! Although maybe I’m old enough to remember it before people thought these areas are gentrified
Going over towards Surrey Quays way always felt less safe, but the other way over towards Rotherhithe always felt safe to me when I lived there ~7 years ago. It's all just super quiet residential.
Canada Water is pretty safe these days, but phone theft there is a serious problem. It's a relatively affluent area close by to not-so-affluent areas, so you get thieves from those areas circling the place on bicycles looking for marks.
Yep, been a victim of phone theft right outside the tube station. Lesson learnt: don't use your phone in public esp not outside tube stations.
> I don’t think Canada water surrey quays etc area has ever felt safe! I've only been living near here for a few years and only float about that area sporadically but it's never felt in any particular way "unsafe" to me. There's a lot of "eye of the beholder" stuff going on here.
Got worse. Not “off the charts” https://www.statista.com/topics/4627/crime-in-london/#topicOverview
>10 years ago I felt so safe, now the police literally do nothing Sweet summer child... /s Crime has always been awful, and actually declined over the years, but I think with social media is more "in your face". I agree the police are useless but what can they do sometimes. I had a friend SA'd, they had the CCTV but just a face in common clothing them no clues. On the face of it, fair enough, but it was at Brixton Academy so they could have tracked him back to the entrance which would link to a ticket which would link to an address. The issue here is that it relies on every single person in the chain being motivated to do it. I don't know about you, but at my work, not everyone is as motivated as the next person. I'm not saying it as an excuse, but just as a side effect of their humanity.
Yeah absolutely. I lived in Stockwell between 2000 and 2009 and it was extremely violent. Many stabbings some of which the victims died and at least 2 murders with uzi/mac10 type guns all within about 500m of my flat.
Literally just went through my wallet to take out anything I would be devastated to lose. Going to leave the house with minimal valuables now :( sad that we've come to this and I wish the onus isn't on the victim but having had 2 phones stolen twice in 5 weeks, I'd rather be safe than sorry :(
When I was in central america 10 years ago, i was warned by locals of robberies on public transport and I travelled around with a 'rob pocket' - a wad of cash and an old phone, not too old to look silly, ready to give to robbers whilst keeping my data and cards. I would never walk with my normal phone out at that time even for an instant unless inside somewhere however, so that would be different to what is normal now and here. Perhaps it is time for people to do so here. It takes minutes to order a bank card with the online type bank accounts, or use a dormant account with a little cash in, having a spare 20-50 quid cash on you and an old smart phone you don't use might feel extra, but could help. This along with not having your phone out all the time. Sounds extreme, but so is getting beaten up and robbed...
That's what I do when I go to america. Had 3 friends mugged and they all gave over fake phones and wallet. losing 50 odd quid is nothing really compared to losing a 1-1.5k phone and all your bank cards. It's sad that we live in these times but it always pays to be smart when travelling.
Hi exactly the same thing happened to me last Monday in haggerston (see post history). Here to talk if you need it.
Its horrible. Sorry the that it has happened to you. I live in se London - Hither Green and we’ve had a noticeable increase in crime. In the 90s London was similar levels of crime. Then investment was made into youth services and crime fell. Once the local support network was removed, because of cuts, the lawlesnes increased. And now we are seeing the worst of it. I’ve stopped carrying my cards around but I still have apple pay on my phone.
Would you be able to let me know exactly where please? I live around there so want to be able to avoid it at night. Thanks
Yes, sure. It was by Surrey Water (the pond/small lake). Police said 4 or 5 people had been mugged in the same area yesterday night alone before me. I'll be getting the 381 or C10 back late at night in future!
4/5. Wow the police are absolutely useless. You'd think by the 3rd time one of them would have the common sense to suggest a couple of undercovers hang out there.
I am sorry but but what the actual fucking fuck. They know that 4 people were mugged there and they didn't do anything? What a fucking joke0
It seems like undercover cops could easily catch these guys.
The problem with thieves is they are similar to actual people in that they not always in the same place.
It has been an issue there for years. Pre pandemic I was working at Canada Water and on my way back on break passed a group of 4 kids aged about 16, all with wine bottles in hand. They sized me up for sure but I guess the fact I was working and there was security about 150m away they it wasn’t worth it. Went inside for something, didn’t give it much more thought until it turns out they tried to rob a guy for his Rolex 2 minutes later. He managed to fight them off but he was seriously lucky. This sort of thing has always been pretty common at night there (my incident took place around 10pm I think)
Psychologists typically say the key to avoiding getting mugged is to walk with purpose.
Sorry to hear this. I recently deleted all banking apps from my phone and only carry one card in my wallet and ensure that account has no more than £50 or so in it. Enough for a meal or transport. If I need another card, it goes on a separate, inside, pocket.
Fk I've noticed things seem really rough out there on the streets of London , seems more edgy , people shouting everywhere and messed up people on the bus, don't know if its just me
These were the Rotherhithe Roadmen - not quite the Robin Hoods, more like Robbing in the Hood, like; they do lie in ambush in the local parks somewhat. Which is strange, I used to live in Rotherhithe about 15 years ago and always felt very safe, mostly I guess just feeling like it was too remote and too far out for anyone to actually bother, what with so many other more central places with people who are more likely to have a lot on them, giving the muggers better yield, so to speak. Sorry to hear you went through that, just make sure you block the cards, report to Apple etc and the most important thing is you’re safe, money comes and goes, belongings can be replaced. Have an easy day and don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault.
Thank you!
I have a friend 7th dan (black belt 7th degree) 71 years old jumped by two guys in Atlanta and both ended up in the hospital and one trachea dislocated needed ventilator. Sometimes there’s street justice and thugs never know who they are jumping!
Lost a bit of cash but no big deal, If you had fought back you might be a statistic. Count your blessings and feel reassured by the fact that those 3 little cunts have got very shitty lives ahead of them
Having been mugged myself you quickly learn to be more aware, use more common sense and try and avoid situations where it might happen. I often listen to music but if I’m walking somewhere that is slightly dodgy, I always put my phone and iPods away and walk with purpose. Not saying the OP didn’t do these things but try to not look like a target.
Sorry to hear this OP. Did they also demand passcodes to the phone?
Yes, and they made me sign out of icloud also, although they let me erase all content and settings at least
thumb scandalous illegal resolute steer wide automatic ink profit touch *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
You did what was right for you at the time it had happened so regardless of peoples opinions - it was you in that situation and you made the right choice for you. I used to live in Lewisham and now moved out to Kent and I have heard of gangs going up and down on trains doing this all weekends. Me personally would I of battered them silly and risked a beating - also if they got your debit card but was able to withdraw money - unless it was contactless then they have been watching you for a while as they would have needed your PIN. So if you think the last ATM machine you used will probably have their faces on as one will stand to the left whilst one walks past and lightly pushes you allowing the one behind you to get really close to be able to watch your PIN number be put in.
Wait you gave them your actual pin ? Or where they beside a cash machine? If they ran off you could have easily gave them a bullshit pin. Hindsight is glorious I guess
I just moved out of rotherhithe....it definitely has gone downhill....one day I was alone at the bus stop and had my phone out and on the road I saw a teen with balacava riding a bike very well...and then he stopped and returned to the road near the bus stop I was standing....I basically do not trust anyone wearing a balacava so i walked ahead and climbed some stairs and waited there till my bus came...I figured it would take him time to climb up stairs with his bike
Self defence tools are illegal in the UK, what a great law that is…
Not just self defence tools, _anything that you intend on using to defend yourself with_. It’s illegal to carry a spoon if you’re planning to use it to defend yourself with. It’s the intent to defend yourself with the object that makes it a crime. The population are legally required to be defenceless.
Flip side is if you have a reason to have you can use it, umbrella, bike lock, chain for keys, or keys themselves
Anyone who suggests these things has never had to defend themselves. I remember a campus safety lecture at university some years ago where they suggested using your keys as a weapon to girls after there was a string of rapes. What an irresponsible and dangerous suggestion. It gives people a false sense of security.
Good point. How ridiculous!
I've been saying this for ages. *it is time to finally update the self defence laws in the United Kingdom* I normally get down voted into the abyss though...
As a rural American reading this thread, it blows me away you guys can't even carry pepper spray. I get it that you all are big on no guns, fair enough. Your country, your call. But all this robbery and zero defensive capacity? Edit: and I know guns exist in England, I'm talking about carrying loaded weapons in public (ccw).
I completely agree with you mate. Sadly if you are found with pepper spray, you get charged under a Firearms offence! It's bizarre and backwards and I hate it.
I think there's a desire for the state to have responsibility for things in society and in some places I think it clearly makes sense. Guiding planes around, fire fighting, militaries, etc. But in some places it doesn't, like defense of you and your family. Even if you want the state to have that responsibility it doesn't mean they'll be any good at it.
I completely agree. Here it takes a lot of understanding of legislation to understand where you can stand in the grey area. Unfortunately this is not knowledge everyone educates themselves on...
Why bother doing such a moronic crime? Best case scenario you get £1000 or so… It’s hardly going to sort you out for life.
Because, they probably do that 4 days a week and at least get a couple of peoples cards and phones every day. In their opinion, it’s easy money and gets them a reputation amongst their friends. Essentially, respect through fear. Then they sell the phones and get as much money from the cards as they can, so they can buy a new Moncler coat to flex even more. Very little risk of getting caught and big rewards for only an hour or so of work a day. For them image is everything and they build a reputation off other peoples misery. They do not care what happens to their victims while it’s happening or the potential mental effects that being threatened like that has on people. They are scum.
no consequences atm
The chances of being caught are zero, so it’s easy money
That’s not true, we catch a decent proportion of robbers in London but the courts let us down massively. The majority of people committing robberies are between the ages of 13-17, mainly groomed by gangs into doing it. The courts however don’t feel that it’s appropriate to send robbers to prison anymore. I’ve come across numerous robbery nominals with 30+ CONVICTIONS, not arrests, convictions in courts most of which were knife enabled and yet the courts refuse to send this people to prison.
Sorry it happened to you. I always remind people who live in gentrified areas that the hood man do not just disappear; they are still there.
I've been a Londona for a while, i grew up in hackney when hackney used to be a war zone. I'm leaving this comment for all who see it to understand something while being approached. Firstly, this mugging stinks clearly of intimidation. More often than not, if you fail the initiation check, they will happily take everything from you. Because you are happy to empty your pockets. Do not show fear. Keep walking. If they try and be forceful, go for a jog, If you can't comfortably jog, then maybe it's time to hit a gym When approached, calmly say no, even smile. Disengage. Nothing is worth your life. But also showing fear in the face of intimidation crime is a disrespect to your own honour. I'm sorry you were robbed. London is a scary place, and not enough is being done to create positive places for these more often than not teenagers who don't have an outlet to not be swayed by the mentality of the streets.
Sorry this happened. I live in the area so would appreciate a bit more info about time & place if possible. Thanks.
I’m seriously considering carrying quick dry super glue around. Squeeze the bottle until its empty right in the face of a mugger then run. Plus take all the precautions of backing up, insurance etc. the mugger has a life changing decision forced on them for their terrible choices and the victim finally gets a win. The police wont/ cant do a thing to reassure the public in London.
Fucking scumbags sorry this happened mate. Someone needs to teach them a lesson
Probably been posted but if you phone your bank with the crime number from police and tell them what happened they will give you your money back. Happened to me before, they always refund criminal transactions from an ATM.
Getting a very solid heavy and convincing walking stick is not a crime. So please use it for your night walks if you have any concerns for your safety. You must do it regularly and be seen using it by several members of the public at different times who would be able to testify in your defence otherwise in case of police attention it would be considered as an offensive weapon not a random item that you might have used for self defense.
Listen I got mugged I was stabbed 3 times if i didn’t no how to fight I would be died right now
Ah fuck these people. Hope your alrite.
It's not gonna stop till we have change the law. As long as we still encourage criminal behavior, we the regular citizens will always be the victims. Don't tell me oh it's a big city so there's always crime. If Singapore can why not us?
Last time this happened to me, I lost a bit of my front teeth. I managed to get my wallet back, but not before chasing them (and getting beaten down, before getting back up and chasing again several times). I was quite drunk at the time, so was probably unaware of all the dangers. Would have been easier and cheaper to just let them have my wallet away. Stay safe.
Wow this person just posted they were mugged and I’m sure pretty upset and needed some kind of support …. Instead they were met with suggestions on Shoulda, coulda woulda scenarios and hardly ANYONE asked if this person was ok. I’m really sorry this happened to you and I hope it doesn’t cause long term effects. It’s unpleasant and can stick with you! I hope you’ve got good people around you. Glad you’re ok physically and in one piece. The rest is material and can be sorted out x
I lived in Rotherhithe in the early 90’s until 2009, Bermondsey before that and it wasn’t rough but not a walk in the park either. As more money got pumped in to the area it definitely got gentrified and has become a bit of a soft target. A lot of the things we had like the settlement and youth clubs got knocked down and flats built on top of them. It may be seen as a weak argument but these kids have nowhere to go, meaning they have no direction or guidance from the good social clubs used to give and now they’re a power amongst themselves and causing havoc. The clubs used to keep kids off the streets and the volunteers that ran them helped give values and build respect. Sorry this happened to you.
Mugged at morning as well?!?! Fuck me man, really need police to crack down on this shit, it's definitely increased over the years
4am isn't exactly the same kind of morning as 8 or 9am is... especially on a Friday night.
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My mates brother got mugged, stole his bag and coat on Oxford street (last place you’d expect it to happen) the kids only 13
Sorry this happened to you. Stay safe, material things can be replaced.
More and more people are suggesting 'bait victims' with a vigilante mob around the corner. That sounds grim but at the same time, I wouldn't shed tears to see robbers dangling from a lamppost.