Citizens patrol plan to combat muggings after attack on 12-year-old schoolboy
By The Editor 16th May 2023
Residents are considering setting up citizens patrols to keep the streets safe after a boy of 12 was attacked in the latest example of alarming muggings in the Barnes and Mortlake area.
Video footage posted on social media showed the terrified schoolboy being attacked from behind and thrown to the ground.
He was threatened and searched where he lay on the pavement before his much taller attacker stole valuables and ran off.
The attack on the youngster, which happened at around 5pm Friday afternoon close to the corner of Ferry Road and Westmoreland Road, is the latest in a series of attacks.
The police have indicated that criminals are coming across Hammersmith Bridge to target youngsters from the wealthy streets of Barnes.
In some cases, their targets are having designer jackets and trainers stolen, as well as cash and iPhones.
Hundreds of people in the are have viewed the mugging footage on social media, where many have blamed a lack of a police presence on the streets for the apparent increase in violent street crime targeting children.
Such is the concern that a new Neighbourhood Watch group has been established with organisers seeking volunteers to come forward to take part in street patrols.
The problems in Barnes are indicative of a wider problem of anti-social behaviour and violence, particularly against the young, in the borough, which has seen residents look at establishing their own security regime – separate from the police.
It has emerged that one group of wealthy residents in the Castlenau area of Barnes are paying a monthly subscription for patrols from a private security company called Bravo Security.
Residents around both Richmond Green and Twickenham Green are understood to have examined adopting this same approach.
Last month, Nub News reported increasing alarm among residents following a number of frightening muggings in Barnes and Mortlake.
The mother of one 19-year-old said he was left badly shaken after being mugged for his Nike black puffa jacket and phone outside Cote in Barnes.
Other local residents reported a mugging near Second Avenue, off Mortlake High Street, a man being robbed at knifepoint on Merthyr Terrace, Barnes, and a teenager who was targeted at Castelnau.
The attack on the 12-year-old last week drew a mixture of fury at the robber involved and disappointment at a perceived lack of police protection.
One person said: "When the hell is this going to stop?
"I walk around Barnes nearly all day every day and never ever have I seen any police on foot or car,
"When are our kids going to feel safe around their area, and us parents not have to worry every time they walk out the door?"
Another said: "It is frightening that children are being attacked walking home from school."
A third person said: "I refuse to feel scared every time my son walks out the door because a bunch of lowlifes are taking over our beautiful neighbourhood."
Local resident, Alice O'Byrne, has set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme which is looking at the idea of operating citizens patrols. However, this will only be possible if a sufficient number of adult volunteers agree to take part.
People wishing to support the initiative are asked to contact the group using this email address – [email protected]
The local police Safer Neighbourhood Team are due to hold a meeting with residents and councillors later this month.
Following the muggings last month, officers launched a number of evening patrols to offer reassurance and deter crime.
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