My boyfriend was travelling on a train from Sydenham into London Bridge yesterday at approximately 5pm when 3 "youths" boarded the train at Forest Hill acting suspiciously.
As the doors were closing, 2 of them held them open whilst the third snatched the handbag and mobile phone of a girl sitting near the doors.
Fortunately, my bf was able to grab the hand of the 3rd guy and pin him to the ground (with the assistance of another passenger). However, by this point he had already thrown the handbag to his friends who made a quick getaway. I suspect this is not the first time that they've tried this, so please be vigilant.
Muggings on the sydenham to london bridge trains
Hi Hobbs
Hi Hobbs,
What a horrific story, i am glad you are both OK. I have heard alot of this going on but never round here, my other half travels from Sydenhan to London Bridge every day, he has seen a few incident nearer London-ie phones being snatched just before the doors close, on most occasions everyone just sits there with heads hidden behind papers, so a big hands up to your other half. I just get worried that the guy pinned down could have had a knife and this could have ended up as a murder,
It makes me wonder what other people would do ??
I saw a girl being beaten up in the street by her boyfriend when i used to live in Brockley and people just walked by, i stood in and ended up with a black eye and stiches to my face, the girl was ok but screamed at me 'why did you interfere'! What are we meant to do. Police turned up- the guy had gone and he girl begged me not to press charges so i didn't.
The world we live in.
Anyway i'm rambling
Just glad you are both OK
Regards
Pj
What a horrific story, i am glad you are both OK. I have heard alot of this going on but never round here, my other half travels from Sydenhan to London Bridge every day, he has seen a few incident nearer London-ie phones being snatched just before the doors close, on most occasions everyone just sits there with heads hidden behind papers, so a big hands up to your other half. I just get worried that the guy pinned down could have had a knife and this could have ended up as a murder,
It makes me wonder what other people would do ??
I saw a girl being beaten up in the street by her boyfriend when i used to live in Brockley and people just walked by, i stood in and ended up with a black eye and stiches to my face, the girl was ok but screamed at me 'why did you interfere'! What are we meant to do. Police turned up- the guy had gone and he girl begged me not to press charges so i didn't.
The world we live in.
Anyway i'm rambling
Just glad you are both OK
Regards
Pj
A friend of mine witnessed a similar incident on the train to Sydenham some time last year – a gang were walking through the train, until they came across a guy texting on his mobile, which they just tried to lift out of his hands. The man hung onto his phone, but the gang’s reaction was basically “how are you going to stop us?”.
Other people on the train apparently protested, but stopped short of intervening physically. Eventually the guy just handed over his phone and the gang walked off the train at the next station, completely unflustered. I wouldn't blame anyone for not intervening though, it isn't worth the risk.
Hobbs – your boyfriend was very brave to step in. Not something I’d recommend, but nonetheless shows some guts.
PJ – Again, very brave indeed! What a shame that the girl didn’t appreciate your actions. I’d have wanted to press charges against the guy, whatever his girlfriend said, sounds like a nasty piece of work.
Very reassuring to hear there are some people around who are willing to risk their own safety to help others.
Other people on the train apparently protested, but stopped short of intervening physically. Eventually the guy just handed over his phone and the gang walked off the train at the next station, completely unflustered. I wouldn't blame anyone for not intervening though, it isn't worth the risk.
Hobbs – your boyfriend was very brave to step in. Not something I’d recommend, but nonetheless shows some guts.
PJ – Again, very brave indeed! What a shame that the girl didn’t appreciate your actions. I’d have wanted to press charges against the guy, whatever his girlfriend said, sounds like a nasty piece of work.
Very reassuring to hear there are some people around who are willing to risk their own safety to help others.