Violent Mugging in East Dulwich (March 2nd 2017)

[andrewfinch1994]

Hello all,

I wanted to warn all residents that violent muggings are taking place in the E.D area, and for people to take extra care whilst walking home at night, especially those walking alone.

At about 4am this morning I was walking back from a friends house in Peckham after celebrating an essay deadline (I am a 23 year old male). After turning onto Goodrich road from Barry Road, I was wheeling my bike along the pavement toward Dunstans and heard scooters approaching behind me. One drove up onto the pavement behind and another approached me from the road. I was immediately told to hand over my phone, and a second later was punched in the face, leaving cuts in several places around my eye. Two of the guys then tried to pull the ring off my finger (which is my grandfathers), rifled through my pockets stealing my bank cards, oyster and phone, and was punched in the face several times again, hitting my temple.

There were 4 guys, two on each scooter. All mixed raced and probably between the ages of 16-20. Wearing black clothing and neck gators to conceal their faces.

Someone then attempted to pull me onto the ground by pulling down my rucksack. I held onto a wall and luckily stayed upright, because I'm sure my injuries would be a lot worse and probably have taken a kicking to the face. My bag that contained my laptop and all my university work was pulled off my back and stolen. They dropped my house keys and passport on the ground so these guys obviously aren't smart or significant crooks, as passports are worth a lot of money on the black market. The two mopeds drove up Goodrich and then right onto Dunstans Road, leaving me to call the police and a trip to the hospital to sort my cut and swollen face up. The police, and then the paramedics at Denmark Hill Hospital, told me that someone ele had also been mugged and physically assaulted at knife point near Peckham Rye park about an hour prior to this occurring. While I was being treated the paramedics/nurses then received another call to tell them that a THIRD person had been violently assaulted and was coming in to be treated. I saw the boy who came in and he looked a lot worse off than me- with a broken nose and said that he had been kicked around. I am absolutely certain that it is the same group of boys. It is unusual that a group of people who are looking to steal from someone would also physically assault so quickly and violently, being unprovoked. It could be a showing-off facade to older boys in the gang.

Of course the police can't and didn't do anything in the short term, so there is no doubt in my mind that these guys will be back again after such a 'successful' night. The police cannot give chase to scooters as it puts other passengers, and the sccoter driver at risk, so these scumbags know they can get away with it.

***it was a large red and black rucksack, a small camping style design. If a anyone has seen it anywhere PLEASE message me- I have university work in there that it invaluable to me right now as I'm in my third and final year.***

I urge everyone to take care and keep an eye out for people on scooters- to avoid walking home alone at night, and for everyone to keep an eye out for each other. I realise that's hard at 2am but this is an extremely high risk area according to the police, the target of robbery and burglary, but we can all do what we can and stay vigilant.

I am just glad it didn't happen to my girlfriend who I also live with along with other third year students, both male and female. Although I don't think that these people are targeting woman, they are obviously pretty sick people and desperate for what they can take.

Be safe,

Andrew

[mima08]

I am so sorry to hear this has happened to you - and hope you are feeling better soon.

[tomskip]

I am so terribly sorry that this has happened to you Andrew. What a horrific experience for all the victims last night. I can't think of anything else to say! Thoughts are with you.

[ivanhoeshmivanhoe]

Oh my god I'm so sorry to hear of your ordeal! A friend of mine (female) was attacked walking up Grove Lane a few years back. These disgusting creatures will try it on whoever they can.

I really hope they catch them for you.

[Ruskin]

Really sorry to hear about this, Andrew. Do recover from the experience as best as you can and while I fully understand the fear of going out - time will heal. I also hope you get your work back. They may give you an extension if you fully explain what's happened to you.

[JohnL]

That's terrible,

I always thought the proper gangs around here don't mug locals (not that I'd know).

[lameduck]

How would you know if a person was local

I think these are cowardly oppotunists who would

pick on any easy target.

Andrew love hope you get better soon and these havent left you

scared to go about your business

lynne

[Sean Of Dulwich]

scum bags

[JohnL]

lameduck Wrote:

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

> How would you know if a person was local

> I think these are cowardly oppotunists who would

> pick on any easy target.

> Andrew love hope you get better soon and these

> havent left you

> scared to go about your business

> lynne

I hope you're all OK Andrew and don't be scared to go out.

The locals comment ... I suppose being someone who wanders

around late at night alone 3-4 times a week, often a bit worse for wear

I should be a huge target but never have been (touch wood)

and have grown to assume that over the years. I won't stop going

out alone either, and anyone walking around here would count as local

(or maybe I'm just lucky).

I just really don't think the perpetrators come from this area and

hopefully they'll be removed from the streets.

[rendelharris]

Very sorry indeed to hear this, I hope you recover quickly mentally and physically. As above, do make your tutors aware of what's happened as soon as possible - every college (I know because I've worked in them) will have policies in place to make sure you don't lose out on the result you deserve. Good luck.

On a political note, I'm the most liberal, limpwristed, namby-pamby soft on crime snowflake imaginable (I must be, been told so often enough on here!) and even I think that rule about not chasing moped riders once they take their helmets off is quite ridiculous - effectively a free pass. It really needs looking at.

[a_m]

Horrified to hear about what happened to you Andrew. I was mugged many years ago and it affected me quite a lot - previously I'd felt safe and confident on the streets having grown up and lived in London all my life. Afterwards I kept finding myself checking over my shoulder if anyone came even slightly too close. Take care and be kind to yourself, you've been through a horrible ordeal and I really hope you recover quickly.

I will keep fingers crossed a kind soul returns your uni work to you. Best of luck.

[JohnL]

rendelharris Wrote:

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

> On a political note, I'm the most liberal,

> limpwristed, namby-pamby soft on crime snowflake

> imaginable (I must be, been told so often enough

> on here!) and even I think that rule about not

> chasing moped riders once they take their helmets

> off is quite ridiculous - effectively a free pass.

> It really needs looking at.

With the changes in politics I can't see that rule

lasting long (compared to the other draconian stuff

headed our way).

Anyway going home before I get angry about these

scumbags.

[Mystic Mog]

Andrew, thanks for posting the warning and so sorry for your ordeal. Wishing you a speedy recovery mentally and physically.

[lameduck]

Few years back my mum caught two males in our side garden attempting entry.

I called the police from inside the house. they didnt know I was there.

police came really fast must have been round the corner.

One of the men came from Court Lane cant remember the other

Scumbags can come from anywhere.

Take care John dont leave yourself vunerable

Lynne

[uncleglen]

JohnL Wrote:

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

> That's terrible,

>

> I always thought the proper gangs around here

> don't mug locals (not that I'd know).

This is horrendous- they were obviously on the prowl. One of my relatives was mugged in broad daylight in Woodwarde Road and had injuries. She had to give evidence in juvenile court and the parents of the knife carrying perps were present. About 2 weeks later I saw one of the mums in what was the 7/11 in LL.

[Lowlander]

Am so sorry to hear about your ordeal, and I hope that they catch the culprits. Don't hesitate to take up offers of victim support or similar - that's quite an ordeal you've been through that you should never have had to experience.

That's a route I often walk. Hopefully someone who lives nearby has CCTV that faces the road and may have something useful?

[NewWave]

rendelharris Wrote:

even I think that rule about not

> chasing moped riders once they take their helmets

> off is quite ridiculous - effectively a free pass.

> It really needs looking at.

Firstly, this is terrible. I hope you are OK Andrew?

That rule has been slightly misrepresented. Unfortunately it is only appropriately trained officers who can chase the helmet less scumbags.

This is a reminder that if you think you are safe because you don't think you look like a "victim", you do to 8 masked bullies.

[EDmummy]

Bloody frightening. I'm so glad to hear that you have survived this heinous attack and thank you so much for such an articulate recount of what has happened. A very brave man. Please don't over think what could have been and focus on your strengths of character, which is very evident.

[singalto]

Andrew, I am so sorry to hear what happened to you and the others. It must have been terrifying. Thank you for warning us...

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

Nightmare, I'm sorry to hear that.

[lavender27]

I hope they get who is doing this. I hope you recover soon Andrew.

[DovertheRoad]

Sorry to hear it chap. I know from experience how it really shakes you up. Just remember it's not the norm and statistically it's unlikely to happen again to you anytime soon. Have to say that although mine was 6 years ago or so also off LL, I'm now pretty much in an Uber anytime after midnight. Happy to pay my 5-7 quid for the security

. Get better soon my friend.

[Jules-and-Boo]

Hi Andrew,

I'm also very sorry that you have had to endure this. You're very brave for being so objective.

Please please please do not let this affect you long term - seek counseling for trauma so that you can move away from it.

http://www.rapidresolutiontherapy.com/whats-different

There's a local man who specialises in this - I've engaged with him for something that happened to my daughter.

I can send you his details if you're interested.

I'm not trying to sell you anything - it just had an amazing impact when we worked with him.

Jules

[JohnL]

uncleglen Wrote:

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

> JohnL Wrote:

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

> -----

> > That's terrible,

> >

> > I always thought the proper gangs around here

> > don't mug locals (not that I'd know).

> This is horrendous- they were obviously on the

> prowl. One of my relatives was mugged in broad

> daylight in Woodwarde Road and had injuries. She

> had to give evidence in juvenile court and the

> parents of the knife carrying perps were present.

> About 2 weeks later I saw one of the mums in what

> was the 7/11 in LL.

It seems strange - but I'd demand an apology if someone

in my own community did that.

Otherwise I could never let it go.

[geobz]

You should be able to walk at night without being afraid... why are there no police patrol cars at all? is that part of budget cutting on petrol etc?

I often see scooter gangs going down LL and you can tell by far that they are definitely looking into mugging someone.

Police saying they can't chase after them is completely unacceptable.