Attempted mugging in Finsbury Park

Marquis

Just wanted to report that I just escaped an attempted mugging in Finsbury Park, by three 'IC3' kids in their late teens/early twenties. It's still quite busy in the park at this time of day (it happened around 7pm), so I had no second thoughts at walking into the dark park. They came running my way from behind me (from sort of three sides, up where Britmilfit are), so I first thought it was a group of joggers and didn't worry much, until they were closer and it was obvious that they were up to something. When I turned around they all got Stanley knives out and did their best to be as threatening as they could, so I shouted at them and legged it towards the Oxford Road exit. They kept up for a bit (rather irritatingly) but stayed behind when I shouted 'Help', which caused a bit of a stir in other parts of the park. Looking back now, the most worrying thing was how they had worked out that  'wolf pack' approach, closing in from three sides, and obviously that they all had knives on them.<div><br></div><div>The lessons I can think of at the moment are that it's <span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">probably</span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">more dangerous in the park in the early hours after dark, before muggers' bedtime, and that shouting helps. Personally I hope these kids will never get a chance at anything in their lives, but I'll calm down soon.</span></div>

kreuzkav

What's an IC3 kid?  <div><br></div><div>Without sounding smug, I have lived here for a few decades and remember when it was very rough.  Even now,  despite how it's marketed it's not Stroud Green Village.   I wouldn't dare walking through the park by myself when it was dark or even dusk.  I worry sometimes about walking quiet streets late at night.  Be careful.</div><div><br></div>

Marquis

ICs are identity codes used by the police, 3 stands for 'black'. It is annoying how their skin colour is the one detail I can remember for sure in an upset situation like that, but it is. I think there have been discussions on here in the past on how safe the park is after dark, and there seem to be quite a few who have no worries about it. As I walked in across the Oxford Road bridge I could see and hear plenty of movement everywhere - dog walkers, joggers, kids, etc. Anyway, I'll probably avoid it in future.

kreuzkav

Again Marquis, not trying to be a smug know-it-all but I'm amazed people think it's safe to go alone in the park or parkland walk late at night.  I wouldn't as a fairly hardy man.  I think a lot of newbies (not saying you are) think because SGR is full of middle class eateries and middle/posh class voices it's okay to saunter in the park.  I would never and still look over my shoulder late at night walking on quiet streets here.  There are teen gangs that look for loners.  Again, be careful.

miss annie

Oh @Marquis, I'm sorry that happened to you. How horrible. Detritus who is 6ft 5 (and of sturdy build), has just said he wouldn't walk through the park after dark because it's dangerous... and he used to live near Compton! Let's be careful out there folks.

Mirandola

Sorry to hear that Marquis. Horrid thing to happen.

Marquis

Thanks for the sympathy. I suppose that's another lesson learned. @kreuzkav: as I said earlier, it wasn't late at night but still very early in the evening and the park felt safe as there was lots of activity to be seen and heard. There's even people using the tennis courts at that time of night.

kreuzkav

Sorry Marquis if I seemed a bit 'I told you so' but I really wanted to warn people not to be complacent.  It's still a fairly rough area and I wouldn't dream going into the park or on parkland walk when it was dark even getting dark.  I have been at a festival there late evening with other people years ago but in general.  I hope you're okay.  

TescoPigeon

I'm sorry to hear this Marquis. As a rule I wouldn't go near the park after dark. Saying that I once walked through around midnight with a group of friends on our way to the Finsbury pub and you could make out figures in the dark lurking amongst the trees. Their intentions weren't clear but I was glad we were in a group as who knows what they would have done to someone caught alone... This is London not Tonbridge Wells unfortunately (though I'm sure a minimal risk exists there too). Glad you got away intact. Take care

quince

How very unpleasant.  I sometimes run around the park after dark, but don't carry anything valuable (phone/ipod) for that reason.  While there are often people around - like the BritMilFit guys - there are also plenty of areas which are very secluded and unlit, particularly the section from Manor House Gates to the New River crossing (although I suspect the people lurking in the trees there are 'men seeking men', so to speak).  You were lucky to find the Oxford Rd gate open, since it now seems to be locked by the council at some point in the evening - I wouldn't count on this exit in the future if you or anyone else finds themselves in a similar predicament.

Donna

That's so scary.

dorothy

Well done for getting away.   It's scary though.  Hope it wasn't too traumatising.   <div><br></div><div>I go to the park quite often after dark, walking dogs.   Once I met a couple of plain clothes policemen who told me to be careful.   I normally go out carrying nothing or just an old phone.   Friends have tried to put me off saying, muggers would just steal any rings I had on, cutting my fingers off if necessary, or giving me some kind of other trouble if I had nothing for them.     I go on the parkland walk quite late as well, doing late night dog walks, because my house backs onto it.   Last night I was up there and there was a brilliant, thick, rolling fog.   Over the last 30 years I've had far more trouble in broad daylight than at night.    It's possible I feel safe because I have two dogs in tow, who make a hell of a commotion, if I'm threatened.     Nevertheless I always feel safe on the streets, and would and do walk around at any time of day.</div>

krappyrubsnif

I have a couple of personal alarms that were issued (free) to the family a few years ago by a well-meaning police officer.<div><br></div><div>Never used them.  Might do in Johannesburg.  Might consider taking one on a stroll in the park now.</div>

vetski

Very sorry to hear about this, @Marquis, & glad you weren't hurt. <div><br></div><div>SGWI had a talk on personal safety & street awareness yesterday, & yes, shouting helps. I'm now wishing we'd asked the speaker about what to do in a wolf-pack situation, but I hadn't seen this before the meeting... Do we have any police/personal security specialists here who could comment?</div><div><br></div><div>Unrelatedly, I was amazed how many of the women at the meeting - there were maybe 20 people there - have experienced some form of personal attack. Not all around here, but some very unpleasant stories. </div>

vetski

Ikea sell personal alarms, btw... http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60237636/

Ilovegreyhounds

@vetski maybe we could contact Sev and ask her what to do in this situation? She said that we could field questions via email if we needed further information after her talk last night. After reading this I am wondering if we should post her top tips and advice about being streetwise. Like you I was taken aback at how many of our members had been mugged or personally attacked. 

Peter Crumb

Sounds like you were very brave to get away.

Marquis

Thanks again. I don't know - running away and shouting felt like the least brave but the most sensible thing to do. Interesting how quickly  the brain goes through all the available options in a situation like that. I am quite aware though that I had a lucky escape, and some course, as mentioned by vetski, would indeed be helpful.

cristo

@marquis, I just logged in and very upset to read your post. I am in hospital as we speak for over 1 week now after being assaulted in Finsbury Park on The morning of Monday, February 9th. It was an attempted robbery. The guy tried to steal my bike, money and phone. The more I shouted for help, the more he punched and kicked me in the face and Stomache. He got away with nothing but I'm left shocked and traumatised by what happened. Hopefully I will be out tomorrow.

krappyrubsnif

This is dire. How many people Cristo? What time? Knife? Have police taken this seriously and what do they say? So sorry to hear about this, hope you are OK now.

cristo

1 person. Long story but basically my trust was gained and he took advantage of that. Said he was from Russia but I think he was Eastern European. Police have full report and taking it seriously. I didn't see a weapon but he said he had a gun!

NorthNineteen

That is awful :-( we do live in Inner London but you still don't expect this kind of thing.  I hope you get better soon Christo (and I hope this incident does't impact you Marquis too much)).

conformable_kate

That's such a shocking thing to happen. I hope you are fully recovered. It's a tricky balance all the time, I suppose, knowing that there are all kinds of nasty things going on but wanting to think the best of people and hoping you will be right - I'm so sorry this wasn't the case this time. 

Marquis

I am really sorry to hear that, Cristo, and I hope you continue to recover well. It's a great shame that all these reports make the park appear as some kind of dangerzone, but I suppose there wasn't a time when this kind of attack didn't happen.

miss annie

How awful Cristo, get well soon. I hope that whoever did that to you is found.

TescoPigeon

<p>Terrible story, sorry Cristo. Just goes to show how dangerous that park can be - as this happened to Cristo on a Saturday morning! I'm not sure I'll go in alone in future...</p><p>Get well soon hombre</p>

TheMimsy

@ Cristo<div><br></div><div>Sorry to hear about the mugging...wishing you a speedy recovery!</div>

cristo

just to cap it off, my bike was stolen from outside Stroud Green Tesco on Thursday! Gutted! If anyone tries to sell you a hybrid Giant dual suspension bike which is only a few months old, it could be mine!

Sutent

So sorry to hear that Christo. Best wishes

kreuzkav

Sorry to hear about it.  What type of lock did you have on it and how long were you in there?  I'm always a bit edgy locking there as I've noticed lots of lurkers around it.

miss annie

How awful, what a rotten time you've had. Keep an eye on Gumtree, people are having success retrieving stolen stuff that is posted there.