Safety near the 'German' Bridge
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annsquire66
Posts: 105
Joined: Jan 2008
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14-01-2011 08:25 PM
A small group of teenage boys were 'asked to hand over their possessions' this afternoon shortly after crossing the bridge towards Dartmouth Road.
The person responsible displayed a knife to assist in decision making, and appeared to be waiting for victims.
Children should be discouraged from using this bridge whilst their safety cannot be monitored.
I have long believed that there should be CCTV cameras in the vicinity and this re-enforces that view.
Does anyone know who to approach?
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Londondrz
Posts: 1,538
Joined: Apr 2006
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14-01-2011 09:23 PM
I hope the police were called and a description of the mugger given. Opperating in the open during the day in the way he was should mean he is well known to the police.
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annsquire66
Posts: 105
Joined: Jan 2008
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14-01-2011 11:05 PM
Wearing standard mugger attire, not so easy to pick out...
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Poppy9560
Posts: 273
Joined: Aug 2008
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14-01-2011 11:47 PM
contact Forest Hill Safer neighbourhood team- details on met police website
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brian
Posts: 2,002
Joined: Apr 2005
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15-01-2011 12:24 AM
Not just children should be wary.
Over the tears there has been occasions when nasty people have caused problems at The German Bridge. Not sure what Dietrich Bonnhoffer would call them.
But I have crossed the bridge more times than I can recall and never seen anything dodgy.
I hope you reported to the police. Not sure why there should be any doubt who to contact to report armed robbery to.
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annsquire66
Posts: 105
Joined: Jan 2008
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15-01-2011 01:06 AM
Brian, you misunderstood. I want to know who would be responsible for installing/funding CCTV.
Pretty sure it's not the robbery squad (who, of course, have been informed.)
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Snazy
Posts: 1,516
Joined: Jan 2008
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15-01-2011 11:21 AM
Sorry to hear this news, very worrying indeed.
I almost became a victim of mugging on that bridge about 25 years ago, in broad daylight too, so it's nothing new, and always been a shockingly isolated location.
Thankfully it turned into a short fight in which time I got away from them. They were caught but the police too.
I hope something can be done about the safety of the place. I'm sure the SNT will indeed be keen to assist.
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Poppy9560
Posts: 273
Joined: Aug 2008
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15-01-2011 11:33 AM
surely local council would be responsible for CCTV
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borderpaul
Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2007
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15-01-2011 11:33 AM
Any advance on wearing standard mugger attire?
Does that mean we are looking for anybody in a hoody?
There is nothing wrong with saying young white man, probably early 20s, slim build etc in a regulation mugging hoody or woman/black/asian/chinese/fat if it is a description.
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annsquire66
Posts: 105
Joined: Jan 2008
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15-01-2011 11:52 AM
Standard attire seems to be all in black, hood up and covering most of face.
This wearer was a young black male.
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robin orton
Posts: 716
Joined: Feb 2009
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15-01-2011 12:42 PM
Reclaim the streets! Don't give in to them. The more people who use the bridge, the lower the risk of mugging. I and my wife have done so regularly, with no trouble apart from the occasional whiff of an exotic cheroot (if that counts as trouble) in the summer. Just be alert and keep your eyes skimmed, as in any isolated bit of street.
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Applespider
Posts: 285
Joined: Feb 2006
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15-01-2011 03:27 PM
One problem with standard mugger attire (i.e. the hood up) is that it renders the CCTV more or less useless, particularly if it's the kind that just records for 'evidence' rather than being constantly monitored.
I'd suggest writing to the SNT and your local councillor to see who they think should be responsible.
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brian
Posts: 2,002
Joined: Apr 2005
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15-01-2011 05:25 PM
Sorry Ann I did misunderstand you. Good luck with CCTV etc.
I agree 100% with Robin rather than not now use the bridge everyone should use it. If you catch the criminal chuck them of the bridge.
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lottie
Posts: 45
Joined: Mar 2009
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15-01-2011 07:34 PM
Was sorry to hear this news. Can someone enlighten me as to where the German Bridge is located please?!
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robin orton
Posts: 716
Joined: Feb 2009
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15-01-2011 08:13 PM
It's the footbridge over the railway connecting the end of Sydenham Park with Dacres Road, by the 'German Church' (the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Kirche).
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annsquire66
Posts: 105
Joined: Jan 2008
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15-01-2011 10:19 PM
It's all very well saying the more people about, the less the chance of it happening.
This was 3.20pm, broad daylight with boys walking in a group up against a youth armed with a knife waiting for potential victims on their way home from school.
We are lucky they only lost material possessions.
My child will not be walking that way again.
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