This is from a tottenham-based facebook community group. Seems like sound
advice:
Some of you may have seen the scooter gang riding around Seven Sisters/ Broad
Lane recently. Yesterday I saw a group of around 8-10 steal a mans scooter on
Broad Lane at 6:30pm during rush hour. They stole the scooter because he
shouted at them as they drove by him. I saw one of the gang drop a knife and in
the road was a half empty bottle of water (read acid in light of the recent
attacks). I think it's important to say a few things about this because it
affects us all daily and is a potentially deadly situation. I don't want to
scare anyone but it is really crucial you are aware of your surroundings-
especially with so many reports of thefts and attacks up and down the stretch
from Seven Sisters to Dalston.
1) Wherever possible always use the main street- the gang rides around at all
times of day and they ride up and down the back streets off Broad Lane
including Markfield Road. If you are on your own the chances of you being a
target are far greater. Secondly, if you are attacked, you are moer likely to
get help on Broad Lane and other main roads, where there are more pedestrians.
The gangs will attack/ rob people on Broad Lane so you are by no means safe
there, but you are more likely to get help should anything happen.
2) Walk looking around you and don't be on your phone or have any valuables on
show. Firstly you can't see what is happening around you and you become a
target for thieves. If you need to make a call or send a text, go into a pub, a
shop or the post office. I'm sure most of you know people who've had phones
stolen. You're less likely to be attacked or robbed if you're not giving
opportunists a reason to engage with you and you've a better chance of avoiding
them if you can see them. I wouldn't recommend using headphones for two
reasons. Firstly they indicate you have something valuable. Secondly you impair
your ability to hear. Keep your ears pricked for the sound of many scooter
motors. They're distictively annoying but also it means you can be aware of
them before you see them.
3) Don't shout at them or try to stop them. I've seen these guys riding round
on the pavements and being generally tw-ttish. However usually they are around
7-10 strong. We also know that they carry weapons. And they're easily agitated,
aggressive and looking for a reason to cause trouble. As frustrating as it is
to see them misbehaving, don't engage. Call the police (when you're in an
appropriate place) and let them know the location you saw the gang in. That's
safest for everyone. If you try to stop them- you will get into trouble and
others who may be kind enough to come and help you may also end up injured or
worse. Don't take any chances. They carry knives and potentially acid. It's
just not worth the risk.
4) Give them whatever the want and walk away. If you do find youself targeted-
give them what they ask for and get out of the situation as quickly as
possible. The weapons they are using are either severely life changing or
potentially deadly. £500 for a new iPhone isn't worth your life. If you're
attacked/ robbed your first priority is always to leave the attack unharmed.
The best you can do is try memorise a registration number on one of the bikes
and report it to the police (when safe). Yesterday I saw at least 8 of them.
The man who was robbed said 10-15. Avoid any confrontation. They are armed and
they far outnumber you. Also running is a bad idea. They are on scooters and
they will chase you. Just give them what they want and get away.
5) If they do drop anything, leave it where it is and direct police to it when
they arrive. If it is in a place which makes that difficult, (when it's safe),
move the item with a cloth or piece of clothing as to not contaminate the
object so the police can check it for fingerprints later. Obviously don't pick
anything up that could harm you (such as a bottle of liquid).
It's not good to feel you're unsafe around your work and home but at the moment
that is the reality. These attacks are happening on a daily/weekly basis and
people need to be aware of what's happening.
6) Let the people around you know what is happening and you inform them on how
to deal with the situation. The obvious emotion on being atttacked is anger but
retaliating or being aggressive in this situation is far more dangerous than
letting go of your possesions.
It's not good to feel you're unsafe around your work and home but at the moment
that is the reality. These attacks are happening on a daily/weekly basis and
people need to be aware of what's happening.