Series of school muggings prompts calls for Hampstead Garden Suburb patrols

Jewish residents in Hampstead Garden Suburb have been urged to take to the streets around the time children return from school after a series of muggings.

The call for greater presence came on Facebook with friends and neighbours asked to “take a stroll or maybe walk your dog” around quiet roads between 4.15pm and 5pm following “a recent spate of muggings of our children”.

Adults were told that Ossulton Way, Brim Hill and the surrounding quiet roads were particular problem areas and visibility in late afternoon could deter would-be attacks, and that the Community Security Trust (CST) was in agreement.

The posh area, which is home to celebrities, is close to North Road in Highgate, which was last year named the worst street in the country for moped muggings.

Two years ago residents were told not to flash their wealth. “Don’t put yourself on display,” a Met Police officer said at the time, after reports of gangs roaming the streets. “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.”

Shomrim, the Jewish neighbourhood watch group staffed by Orthodox volunteers, operates in Golders Green and Stamford Hill, but does not cover Hampstead Garden Suburb.

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