Attempted carjacking/robbery (Honor Oak)

[victim]

I am a regular poster on here, but have name-changed for this post.

Last night about 6.15pm whilst my husband was sitting at a junction 2 men on motorbikes overtook him, blocked the car and started attacking it with hammers, shouting at him to get out. They were clearly trying to rob him or the car. He eventually managed to drive off, they chased him for a while still hammering the car and then gave up.

There was no altercation, not a 'road rage' attack, unknown attackers, but seemingly a random incident.

It was at the junction of Devonshire Road with Honor Oak Park.

I'm not scaremongering - I'm sure this was just a one off incident rather than the beginning of a carjacking spate, but I wanted to warn people to be vigilant in this area.

The police have been informed, but 16 hours later have yet to even take a proper report and issue a crime reference number, let alone come round to our house.

[steveo]

He should have arranged for them to accidentally 'run into' him

[Carbonara]

That's terrifying.

(td) to the police.

[dimples]

thats awful thankyou for letting us know and hope hes ok x

[rayd]

How terrible - I am really sorry to hear and hope you are ok. Thank you for letting us all know

[Marie81]

Victim: That's sounds terrifying! Sounds to me like a case of mistaken identity as that?s not usually how a carjacking happens? I can?t see why they would hammer the car they want to steal! Also the fact that they continued to chase him, very persistent just to steal someone?s car and also draws massive attention to themselves! Thank god your husband didn?t get out of the car and managed to get away safely!

[jim_the_chin]

I'm presuming it was a car of value or higher performance? My b-in-law was was on the end of a nasty car-jack elsewhere in the country for his BMW which was then used soon after in a ramraid.

[uncleglen]

Yes thank you. I drive there everyday anytime between 4.45 and 6.15 pm.

[victim]

Thanks everybody.

Husband, physically ok, just a bit shaken. Luckily the children weren't in the car.

jim_the-chin - 5 yr old bit battered Citroen MPV, complete with 2 child car seats, Sainsbury's bags, wellies, pushchair etc. in the boot !

The mind boggles....

[Loz]

Blimey, I assumed he was driving something sporty as well.

[george74]

And the craziest thing about our Legal System is that if you had have knocked them off their bikes, you would be the ones being prosecuted no doubt. Sounds like we are headed in the same direction as South Africa.

[Chippy Minton]

Damm nanny state! We can't do anything can we?

[henryb]

You are allowed to use "reasonable force" to defend yourself. If goes to court it is up the jury (members of the public) to decide what is reasonable or not. Using the car to run them down seems reasonable to me in this situation.

How terrifying for you all ? glad he is ok.

[Gidget]

My commiserations to your husband for his ordeal. I am shivering just thinking about it. Were there any CCTV cameras nearby?

[Fabricio the Guido]

"Sounds like we are headed in the same direction as South Africa." Is that really necessary?

[Lishyloo]

n

[kford]

Sounds like mistaken identity

[sheilarose]

Did the helicopter hovering over that part of Honor Oak at about 6pm yesterday have anything to do with a police response to this? I hope they have at least come to your house and taken proper statements by now. This sounds like a serious incident and must have been terrifying for the victim.

[victim]

They finally came in person today, though did call yesterday to take a statement and apologise for the slow response - they're understaffed. We also found some forensic evidence on the car that they came to collect.

Not mistaken identity, attempted robbery that turned violent when my husband refused to get out of the car. He also did some damage to one of their bikes when trying to outmanoeuvre them, which made them even angrier hence them smashing every single window in the car bar the windscreen.

[northlondoner]

george74 Wrote:

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

> And the craziest thing about our Legal System is

> that if you had have knocked them off their bikes,

> you would be the ones being prosecuted no doubt.

> Sounds like we are headed in the same direction as

> South Africa.

George74 - is that your IQ? This post is so ass-backwards dumb, I don't even know how to respond.

OP :hope hubby ok and that they catch the crims soon. Well done to hubby on mashing one of their bikes - they got off lightly. Thanks for sane and sensible manner of posting, also.

George74 take note.

[dulwichgirl2]

WHAT???!!! THis is unbelievable. Your husband must be very shaken. Dear God. what next????

[Shaila Shah]

victim Wrote:

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

> I am a regular poster on here, but have

> name-changed for this post.

>

> Last night about 6.15pm whilst my husband was

> sitting at a junction 2 men on motorbikes overtook

> him, blocked the car and started attacking it with

> hammers, shouting at him to get out. They were

> clearly trying to rob him or the car. He

> eventually managed to drive off, they chased him

> for a while still hammering the car and then gave

> up.

>

> There was no altercation, not a 'road rage'

> attack, unknown attackers, but seemingly a random

> incident.

>

> It was at the junction of Devonshire Road with

> Honor Oak Park.

>

> I'm not scaremongering - I'm sure this was just a

> one off incident rather than the beginning of a

> carjacking spate, but I wanted to warn people to

> be vigilant in this area.

>

> The police have been informed, but 16 hours later

> have yet to even take a proper report and issue a

> crime reference number, let alone come round to

> our house.

Sounds vicious. could it be mistaken identity?

[sam&jemima]

Hope you are ok OP.

[Chick]

What would have happened had you hubby rammed them? Would it be self defence?

[James Barber]

If you are being attacked and use your car to defend yourself then it's clearly self defence.

Let's hope Lewisham Police catch these guys.