Attempted Robbery in Belsize

Last night around 8pm whilst out on the Belsize campaign. My agent fell victim to an attempted iPhone "snatch" robbery by a would be thief riding a Barclays "Boris" bike, fortunately she being a New Yorker and well aware of her surroundings she prevented the robbery. The would be assailant made off at high peddling speed on the Barclays "Boris" bike in the direction along Belsize Park towards Swiss Cottage. I come down steps of a large Victorian style house to see what turned out to be the iPhone "snatch" thief peddling passed.

The Police was called and we had a very excellent turn out response from the Kentish Town team, who went initially on pursuit with such a good description to go on. Details exchanged and we discussed briefly about this situation which sadly is very common in London.

I my self have heard multiple times about the high incidence of iPhone theft whilst attending Belsize SNT panel meetings over the many years where I am the vice chair.

The principle advice that the Belsize SNT team have made is always be well aware of your surroundings whilst out on your own and especially when using mobile phones or getting money from ATM's. Especially off the Haverstock Hill Road at night. This advice which clearly my agent knew from living in a large city like New York paid off.

Naturally, we called it an evening after that experience and went for a relaxing Earl Grey!

Dramatic arrest in connection with gun muggings

In todays' Ham & High reporter Ben McPartland writes;

"POLICE made a dramatic arrest this morning believed to be in connection with the recent spate of gun muggings on women in the area.

The swoop came the morning after the mugger was believed to have struck for a fifth time. A woman was robbed on her doorstep in Lambolle Road, Belsize Park, last night (April 14), and although no gun was produced, police believe it was the same suspect who carried out four armed muggings in the space of five days last month.

The latest victim was also an Oriental woman - as was the case in three of the four previous attacks.

There was a heavy police presence around King Henry's Road this morning, near the site of the arrest and close to Burnham tower, where the first mugging took place on March Sunday March 14.

Women were also targeted in Chalcot Gardens, Lisburne Road and Tudor Close. One of the victims, a business analyst, was mugged for just £15 and has since left the country because she was so traumatised.

Officially police say it is too early to confirm whether the arrested man is the suspect in the muggings but sources say they remain "optimistic" about the developments. The Ham&High understands the arrested man was not known to police and may have been sleeping rough in the area. He is still being questioned at a police station in the borough."

For latest read Ham & High article here

Copyright of hamhigh.co.uk.

Hampstead Police Station today is (was!) safe from threat of closure.

The Metropolitan Police Authority has withdrawn its closure plans for nearly all London boroughs.

Through the tireless efforts and support of local residents and leading campaigner and Parliamentary candidate Cllr Chris Philp for Hampstead and Kilburn. It is great to report that all the hard work that Chris and the local team of Conservatives have helped to bring about this victory.

It is now hoped that the Police station will be developed again to form a cornerstone part of the local community here in Hampstead and Belsize. This is a very welcome item of news in this month of August.

Author: Nigel Rumble