Playwright Alan Bennett 'robbed by women in Camden Town'

Tuesday June 15, 2010

By CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

PLAYWRIGHT Alan Bennett was robbed while shopping in Marks and Spencers in Camden High Street on Friday lunchtime.

Police confirmed they are seeking three suspects, who are believed to have used a well-known confidence trick on the celebrated Camden Town author, 76, as he shopped in his local supermarket.

Witnesses described seeing two women supposedly attempting to wipe ice cream from the back of his jacket before the writer, who was with his partner, discovered he had been robbed.

Reports suggest up to £1,500 in cash was taken from his coat, although police have not confirmed the amount involved. 

It is thought Mr Bennett had recently withdrawn the money from the Lloyds bank across the road before he was robbed, and he returned there afterwards to speak to police.

Detectives from the robbery squad are investigating but have not made any arrests. CCTV from the store is currently under analysis. 

One passer-by said: “I walked past him in Marks and Spencers. He was wearing his usual unassuming outfit, a trademark brown raincoat type jacket. I did a double take when I saw him, I saw him talking to PCSOs, I thought he was just having a friendly chat with the police. I didn’t see any ice cream.”

A police press officer said: “We can confirm detectives from Camden Robbery Squad are investigating an allegation of robbery.The incident occurred at approximately 12.15hrs on Friday 11 June in a shop on Camden High St, NW1. The victim, a man aged in his 70s, was robbed of an amount of money by three suspects.”