Mugging in Bonnington Square
by VivaVauxhall - November 26th, 2009.Filed under: Bonnington Square, Crime and Anti Social Behaviour.
A woman was mugged by two guys in front of No. 1 Bonnington Square (a few doors down from the deli before the beginning of Langley Lane) around 8pm on Monday evening. She thinks that she was followed from the tube station. Thrown to the ground and badly grazed. It was reported to the police, but they were very slow in their response. We know who was assaulted but have been asked not to reveal their name.
Women should be especially careful when walking home in the dark and avoid areas which are badly lit. Admittedly, not easy to do around here. This attack actually happened right under a streetlamp, but which is located next to some tall growth and so still fairly dark there.
Maybe residents, whose properties front badly-lit areas, should think about installing those detectors which light up as you pass.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
It’d be helpful to have a description - may be the same people behind the recent mugging in Vauxhall Grove..
November 27th, 2009 at 12:54 am
here is some more detail.
it was two men in hoodies who came up behind and grabbed her. she didnt see more and she resisted their assault. she was grabbed just by the one way sign and indeed under the lamp as she entred the square. its actually quite an open spot. she thinks it was two men who looked “shifty” and were hanging about outside the side of starbucks.
i have a suspicion people are being checked out when they get home from work and being followed.
im actually also quite upset at the lax attitude of the police as much as anything.
pete, what happened in VG? and is this indeed related to the woman who was mugged under the bridge en route to station not that long ago, if memory serves?
November 27th, 2009 at 8:06 am
As a woman may I say that education among men might be a good thing, perhaps some men should run some groups locally? Anger and frustration, attention seeking motives, etc lead to attacks, domestic abuse, rape, etc.
I did suggest once to some women locally when they were discussing this issue that maybe they could set up a service whereby they could ring someone on their mobiles to accompany them if they were worried walking back alone. Also, they could run / attend a self defence training course. I believe Tai Chi is run in the Bonnington Centre. But these things don’t tend to be taken up.
By the way, I take offence at the term ‘ladies’. It has a particular connotation, just as ‘gentlemen’ does. I know its meant well but I find it a bit patronising.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Mary,
Thanks for pulling me up on that one. ‘lady/ladies’ deleted and replaced by ‘woman/women’.
Danny
November 27th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I don’t personally think that personal defense would help so much. In particular if there there are two people attacking you and from behind.
This second episode is extremely worrying, particularly if there is not a good response coming from the police.
Any chance to organize a meeting shortly and discuss some possible solutions as for example lights with detector?
November 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Danny
I am not sure that the criminals committing these crimes would necessarily volunteer to join a locally organised anger management / frustration class.
I would suggest more local policing, even better street lighting, more CCTV and a general awareness of the risk when walking alone is the best solution to combatting these crimes.
Finally, a greater density of housing, population, bars, restaurants etc in the local area would also act as deterent against these crimes as there would be generally more people on the streets going about their lives who would witness these crimes.
Another reason to support local high rise developments in the area (Octave Tower for example)
Good news that finally piling works have started on St Georges Wharf Tower.
Steven (yes2bondway@googlemail.com)
November 27th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Steven, I think you are wrong. Having high rise buildings near Vauxhall tube station isn’t going to stop a person from being mugged in Bonnington Square.
There is no reason to enter BS unless you are visiting residents, deli or cafe. The fact that BS isn’t a thru-way means it will remain on the quiet side at nights.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Ben
I was referring to Crime in the broader local area and not simply in BS and VG.
You correctly point out tha BS is not an obvious thru-way but my other suggestions particularly CCTV would greatly improve the ‘feeling ‘ of greater security and act as a deterent.
I stand by what i say that greater population density, brought about by high rise residential developments in Vauxhall will encourage business’s trading throughout the evning will be I believe create more foot fall on many roads which will in itself deter violent crime in the broader area.
Steven
November 28th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
As a woman who walks home alone from the tube station every evening from work i find these incidents extremely worrying. We need better policing on these quiet residential streets which would help to prevent such attacks - police patrolling regularly as they do in well-lit busy areas such as along the river., the Albert Embankment etc.
I never see any community police in these streets - yet I often see groups of them talking together along the river - and in busier, well lit areas.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
The white van opposite the deli looks abandoned and is gradually getting covered in graffiti. It gives the impression that the area is neglected and may encourage more graffiti and other anti social behavious. Does anyone know who owns it? Can we get it removed?
December 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Tony - I’ve checked and the van has a current tax disk and resident parking permit, so don’t think we can get it removed at the moment.
Does anyone know who it belongs to?
December 12th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I believe the guys in the Deli know the owner.