Posted on 06/21/2016 6:54:19 AM PDT by massmike
Police have told residents in one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods they should arm themselves with “keys and umbrellas” after a string of street robberies.
Scotland Yard said a group of two to four hooded men in their twenties have been seen prowling Hampstead Garden Suburb in a dark car, ambushing women and stripping them of their jewellery as they step outside their homes.
The enclave just north of Hampstead Heath, where detached mansions fetch upwards of £20 million, is home to many celebrities including TV presenters Jonathan Ross and Richard and Judy Madeley.
Pc Edward Bromilow, ward officer in neighbouring Frognal, circulated a newsletter warning residents of the “troubling” series of robberies.
He told them: “You can use as much force as you can to get away, as long as it’s reasonable to the threat. You can even use things like keys
and umbrellas, so you don’t need to carry items specifically to defend yourself.”
The officer also advised residents to consider buying personal attack alarms, take self-defence lessons or even to get a dog, adding: “Don’t put yourself on display. When you go out make sure you cover your watches, rings, earrings and jewels or take them off when you step outside.
“Dress down when you aren’t going to a special occasion — just so they aren’t on show for all to see.”
The intervention comes weeks after 19-year-old George Zelonka fought off an attacker with an umbrella during an attempted raid in Hampstead
One woman in her sixties was robbed of her wedding ring on her doorstep as she arrived home from a night out with her husband on May 31.
Ten days later another woman living nearby had a ring snatched as she went to put rubbish in her dustbin and three days after that a third woman in the area was attacked by thugs who ripped off her diamond earrings.
Resident Kate Webster, 59, said the robberies have shocked the community. She went on: “It’s lucky nobody has been seriously hurt.
“This is an affluent area and we’re being targeted — it’s horrible. We’ve always felt safe here but now when I go out in the evening I never take a handbag or jewellery just in case something happens.”
Police said patrols had been increased and appealed for information.
This makes so much sense. Now, they will find all these people dead holding an umbrella.
The right of self defense is a basic right inherent to all creatures. You defend yourself and your family with whatever means is needed to get the job done. If than means using a shotgun on someone wielding a baseball bat, so be it.
I’ll defend myself with a SIG-Sauer, thankyouverymuch.
Strange thing. Here in TN one never seems to hear about things like this in middle class neighborhoods. Of course, we have shall issue CCW, but that shouldn’t make any difference. Duh!!!
A 9mm is quicker and you won’t be late to where you’re going.
If Clintoon, Obumer and the rabid left wingers take away our guns, they will then go after our umbrellas, canes, wing tipped shoes, and Gore Tex hiking boots with waffle soles!
If the authorities won’t let you use mace or pepper spray, then Easy-Off Oven Cleaner should be considered as a suitable substitute.
Don’t they make umbrella gunz?
And if an umbrella kills, will we outlaw umbrellas?
Used to. Don’t know status in UK (probably banned). In USA, they’re regulated under the unconstitutional “National Firearms Act”.
Wasp spray and you get them at 15 feet away.
I’ve heard of umbrella attacks with poisoned tips, but it would take a pretty quick poison to do the job here. /sardonic
How about umbrella guns or keychain guns.
Bulletproof cloth?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.