Asian women being targeted by gunman

The efit image of the suspect that has been released by police

Published: 8 April 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

POLICE believe the man who has carried out four robberies at gunpoint is targeting Asian women. 

Four of the five victims of the suspect – who is believed to have struck in Hampstead and Belsize Park over five days last month – were women from the Far East, police admitted last night (Wednesday). 

The fifth victim, a man, was with his Asian girlfriend when the gunman struck. 

At a public meeting last month, police were criticised for not releasing images of the suspect as soon as the first robbery took place in Burnham tower block in Adelaide Road on Sunday, March 14. On that occasion he threatened a couple in the lift with a gun and forced them into their homes before robbing them. He struck again the following day in Lisburne Road, attempting to rob a 47-year-old woman, and then minutes later robbed a woman in her mid-20s in Chalcot Gardens. 

On Thursday he carried out his latest attack, on a 30-year-old woman, in Tudor Close.

Last night, Jonny Bucknell, a Tory council election candidate in Belsize, said police should have warned the Asian community earlier.   

He said: “If I had been that fourth victim, I would be livid to know the police had that information and hadn’t told me. I would have got a cab home that night instead of walking home alone. You’ve got to find a balance between the community being scared or being on guard.”

But Bob O’Toole, of the Burnham Residents Association, said releasing the information could have generated fear among Asian women.

A police spokesman said yesterday: “On each occasion the suspect has targeted a similar victim profile and used similar tactics. This is part of what has lead us to think that the same person has committed these offences.”

She said police were “keeping an open mind” as to the reason the robber had chosen “this type of victim”.

Detective Constable Michael Johnston is appealing for help to catch the suspect. He said: “We are investigating a series of robberies and have released an e-fit of a man we wish to trace.”

Anyone with information can call DC Johnston on 020 8733 6116. 

 

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