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Safety near the 'German' Bridge
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annsquire66


Posts: 105
Joined: Jan 2008
Post: #1
14-01-2011 07:25 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. Mad

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
Post: #2
14-01-2011 08:23 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
Post: #3
14-01-2011 10:05 PM

Wearing standard mugger attire, not so easy to pick out...

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Poppy9560


Posts: 273
Joined: Aug 2008
Post: #4
14-01-2011 10:47 PM

contact Forest Hill Safer neighbourhood team- details on met police website

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brian


Posts: 2,002
Joined: Apr 2005
Post: #5
14-01-2011 11:24 PM

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
Post: #6
15-01-2011 12:06 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
Post: #7
15-01-2011 10:21 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
Post: #8
15-01-2011 10:33 AM

surely local council would be responsible for CCTV

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borderpaul


Posts: 95
Joined: Oct 2007
Post: #9
15-01-2011 10:33 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
Post: #10
15-01-2011 10:52 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
Post: #11
15-01-2011 11:42 AM

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
Post: #12
15-01-2011 02:27 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
Post: #13
15-01-2011 04:25 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
Post: #14
15-01-2011 06:34 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
Post: #15
15-01-2011 07:13 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
Post: #16
15-01-2011 09:19 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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