Robbery in Sainsbury's car park.

[Pugwash]

Just to let all readers know of a 'new trend' in robbery. I was at Sainsbury's DKH last night around 8.30 pm- had put most of my shopping into the boot as this was stuff I was taking to an event today and could leave overnight.

Had put my black work satchel/briefcase on the back seat of the car, and my handbag in the foot well behind the driver's seat. Got into the car turned on the ignition and noticed in my rear window that a light coloured car had pulled up behind me blocking me in. Thinking it was someone waiting to reverse into a space, I waited then noticed a man walk close by the car, he opened the back door and grabbed my handbag. Jumped out of my car and caught him getting into the stationary car, yelled at him and punched him and tried to get my bag back, also trying to prevent him driving off by grabbing the steering wheel.My reaction must have spooked him as he suddenly shot off with the driver's door open throwing me off balance and onto the tarmac.

Slight graze on forehead and a bruised knee, however whilst I was lying on the ground, loads of shoppers and staff came upto help me up, including one staff member who had seen the car but could not get sight of the number plate. Security also arrived and within 2- 3 minutes 2 unmarked police cars drove up, followed by 2 uniformed officers. Cannot praise Sainsbury's staff and the police enough - very efficient, kind, and the speed which help was summoned - fantastic. One

police officer drove me home in my car whilst his colleague followed.

They think it was an opportunist thief - a light skinned black male in his 40s, driving what they believed to be a grey/silver/metallic fiesta. It was not till I got home that I realised that my black work bag had also been taken. Because of it's shape, the police reckoned that the thief thought it contained a lap top.

Cancelled all my cards and cheque book - annoying as I need to travel out of London next week for a funeral and distance means that we have to stay overnight, also means that hubby (just been medically retired due to ill health) will have to meet all expenses out of his account for the next week.

Apart from an umbrella and odds and ends, nothing of value in work bag - but has my work diary with all my mileages, appointments, training sessions etc.

Please look out for a brown leather handbag on a long strap, which contains a brown purse and red card holder ( cards include Southwark Library Card, E11 card, Nectar,usual credit cards), driving licence, asthma pumps,freedom pass.

Black work bag has Social Work Solutions written on it, and contains a red week by week sherwood diary which has my work address in it.

Also if anyone has had a similiar experience let me or the police know as this could be a new trend in robbery.

I usually activate the door locks when travelling at night but my attention was distracted by the car blocking me in before I could do this.

[PeckhamRose]

Awful, absolutely awful. I have a spare Ventolin if you need it and can deliver tomorrow should you not have a spare.

[Fidgetsmum]

Horrid experience. Hope you get some of your things back.

[Pugwash]

Thanks for comments - my asthma is pretty well controlled - only need to use the pump in very smokey or polluted atmospheres. Not to worried about the phone as only a very cheap Nokia with only ?3 credit on it - it is the personal stuff and my work's diary.

[pommie]

did the security guards catch anything on cctv?

[Narnia]

Sorry to hear of this Pugwash but if memory serves me correctly this type of theft at the same venue was reported on another thread not too long ago.Obviously it's not the first time it's happened there.

[Jeremy]

Really sorry to hear about this, it must have been awful.

Well done for fighting back and not making it easy on these bastards. Did you (or anybody else) manage to get the registration - or at least part of it?

[cate]

How terrible for you and thanks for posting this. I am quite vigilant about locking doors generally while driving, day or night but don't necessarily do it immediately I get in the car and before driving off. Did the police say whether or not they had heard of this before?

[Ridgley]

This is very upsetting, news Pugwash but I am gald you are ok lets hope the police get the barstard who did this

[Twirly]

So sorry to hear this, and hope you're OK. Thank you also for bringing it to our attention - am going to Sainsbury's tonight, and will be doubly vigilant.

[Pugwash]

Many thanks for your good wishes. The police officer (robbery squad) did not think this was a trend - not heard of anyone been blocked in before and someone grabbing from car. One of the Sainsbury's staff could give a description of the car but could not catch sight of the registration. The call came through whilst the police were at my house that CCTV had picked up something.

One of the Sainsbury's Customer Relation staff phoned me last night to check if I was OK and could they do anything to help me. Nice touch I thought, also offered that if I felt nervous of going into the car park alone in the future, just speak to customer service desk staff and they will get a staff member to accompany me.

Replacement cards still have not arrived, so the 2 days I had booked off to do some shopping are wasted.

[cate]

Very nice of Sainsburys to phone you! Maybe you could park in a mother and toddler bay! ;-)

[hollygosprightly]

Just to let people know that almost exactly same happened to me today at lunchtime in this car park. I was in the far corner of the car park near nursery and on going to my car noticed a blue volkswagon polo parked at right angles to the parked cars and near my car. I put my handbag behind my seat in the car and man in car opened my passenger door, ran off with it and drove out of car park with me running after him and shouting. Description above sounds like it could be same man. Several people witnessed what happened and a lady thought part of registration no. was T729....T, although don't think this is quite right as I think second letter should be a letter.

It would be good if Sainsburys could put up warning notices as when I mentioned this to a friend she said someone had tried to grab her sister's handbag from her trolley recently in the same car park.

I did report it to a Sainsburys security man, but not sure if on CCTV.

[Twirly]

Sorry to hear that Holly - hope you're OK.

[HAL9000]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Did you (or anybody else) manage to get the registration - or at least part of it?

He would have to be a really stupid robber to display genuine registration plates whilst under CCTV surveillance!

[kford]

Or if the car's nicked or not registered to a bona fide address

[ozzy]

glad to hear you are both ok .but just a little tip,so many times when im in sainsburys people leave their handbags on the child seat of the trolleys making it easy for oppotunists to take what they want ,also if you are heading back to your cars and see another car parked suspiciously behind yours pop back into sainsburys and alert the staff so you can be escorted to your car ,another tip when loading shopping into your car put your handbag over your shoulder and not into the car before you get into it ,once your in your car lock doors before putting bags onto floor or seat .please keep safe and vigilant :)

[Pugwash]

Sorry to hear about this - I hope you reported to Police. Unfortunately the CCTV could not pick out the car reg or man so no further action. Eventually got the insurance money for costs of purchasing new stuff.

I now wear my handbag across my body even when in the car and make sure that i lock the car doors.

[Cam123]

Crist Pugwash, you punched him?! Good for you!

[Spooner]

I'm absolutely amazed that Pugwash's fightback didn't deter this rotten guy from ever trying this again. Awful that it happened to both of you and hope you are ok.

[Pugwash]

Since I was a fat, unfit 60+ year old I surprised myself, police were surprised that I punched him and asked why as he could have retaliated. I just said that I was not going to let the b d think I was an easy prey,

[ilovedogs]

I am so surprised that if it is the same guy, which apparently it seems it may be, that he still has not been caught! Considering, it has been some time since Pugwash's first post..

I don't understand how there is no CCTV footage of any of this :(

[JohnL]

Pugwash Wrote:

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> Since I was a fat, unfit 60+ year old I surprised

> myself, police were surprised that I punched him

> and asked why as he could have retaliated. I just

> said that I was not going to let the b d

> think I was an easy prey,

Why do the police think people won't fight back ?

Often the muggers can tell who will mind.

[Otta]

Bloody scum bag. Glad you're okay, and I hope your punch hurt him a bit!

[debs]

My partner witnessed an attack around Christmas, similar to yours but the woman's had her child in the back seat too! she was dragged for a while as she tried to hold onto the bag. When police were called they were aware of a spate of attacks.This attack happened at the back by the recycling bins. Police said its not covered by the cctv that end.