Bus muggings - Police issue warning to late-night travellers after phones are snatched by trio
Published: 24 March 2011
by JAMIE WELHAM
POLICE have stepped up patrols on night buses going through Camden Town after a spate of mobile phone muggings.
Officers have released CCTV images of three men they want to trace in connection with 14 incidents on buses in Camden and Islington.
Unsuspecting passengers travelling alone are targeted while they are on their phones.
The muggers work as a team, with one snatching the phone and the others blocking the doors.
Some of the victims have received minor injuries as a result.
Detective Sergeant Chris Minnighan said: “We are asking people to remain vigilant and discreet with their belongings.
“The Camden Safer Transport Team are increasing their patrols and Camden Robbery Squad are carrying out extra patrols at night.”
Steve Burton, director of community safety, enforcement and policing at Transport for London, said: “Although London’s bus network is a low-crime environment, with only 11 crimes per million passenger journeys, we will be working with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that criminal activity and anti-social behaviour remains at a minimum.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Camden Robbery Squad on 020 8733 6963 or 0800 555 111, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.