CCTV images released after schoolgirls robbed at South Norwood tram stop

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Thursday, July 22, 2010
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This is Croydon

by Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

CCTV images have been released after a 12-year-old schoolgirl was pulled to the ground by her hair and her friend's phone taken.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers have released images of two girls they would like to identify and talk to in connection with the incident at the Arena tram stop, in Albert Road, South Norwood.

PC Andy James, of Croydon BTP, said the victim, a 12-year-old from Croydon, was waiting for a tram at Sandilands tram stop around 3.30pm.

PC James said: "As a tram approached, the victim became aware of two youths, aged around 16, standing next to her, one of whom was trying to steal her phone from her blazer pocket.

"When the victim asked what the youth was doing she replied that she was only joking and went and stood with the other youth."

Later, when the victim and a friend left the tram at Arena, they were approached by the two youths.

One of them demanded the victim hand her phone over before grabbing her and wrenching her to the ground by her hair and threatening to punch her if she didn't comply.

When the victim's friend, also 12 and from Anerley, offered her phone in an attempt to stave off the attackers, one of the youths snatched it and the pair fled the scene.

PC James said: "This was a frightening and intimidating ordeal for the victims, who at only 12-years-old had absolutely no chance of defending themselves against this pair.

"We have made local enquiries into this incident and would like to identify and speak to the two youths pictured in the CCTV images.

"If you recognise either of them, please get in touch."

The incident happened on Wednesday March 31.

* Anyone with any information about the incident or who recognises either of the youths pictured in the CCTV images is asked to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident B8 LSA of 22/07/10 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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19 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by misterkipling, croydon`

    Wednesday, July 28 2010, 5:14PM

    “So we are all agreed, the general outcome is the next person they rob needs to be slow enough to rob from a wheelchair”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Anon, Anon

    Tuesday, July 27 2010, 4:29PM

    “Oh they will get their commupance one day and what i wouldn't give to be on that bus with them for 5 mins , I can promise you 2 nasty little girls that you wouldn't last 2 mins bring it on bit*ches”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by hecticmum4ever, surrey

    Tuesday, July 27 2010, 7:55AM

    “It has to be said its disgusting and sad that our kids cant even have a mobile phone, without being robbed and beaten down like a dog.

    Forever you faces will be known for this, and when you have your children saldy karma will teach you a lesson then.

    If there is a decent bone in your body, hand yourselves in, as before long your so called m8s boos (whatever the term you use ) will do it for you.

    YOUR KARMA IS WAITING TO LOCK YOU AWAY...ITS JUST A MATTER OF WHEN NOT IF....yippppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


    P.S. WHITE KIDS ARE INTO ROBBING MORE AND MORE THESE DAYS ITS A FACT NOT A FANTASY sadly!!

    Giving your kids the latest latest and money after money PARENTS U HAVE BEEN WARNED TURNS THEM INTO MONSTERS LIKE THESE.

    Time has come where the decent parents took control again....as the heres a tenner NOW GET LOST mentaility, NEVER CHECKING TO SEE WHO THEY ARE MIXING ITH as long as they are out of their parents way.Have had conrtol for way way way to long.

    Kids are dying being beaten because they r fat thin black white asian etc etc, worse still its about you have what I want or you have what I can sell to get what I want so hand it over OR I BEAT U TILL U HAND IT OVER we do need this to STOP AND STOP NOW!!

    To the 2 darlings you will one day find peace from all of this....and know that your parents love you and will contuine to raise into loving kind human beings.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Dave, Beckenham

    Tuesday, July 27 2010, 12:30AM

    “They're gonna get you two girls. it's only a matter of time.
    If that was my daughter you picked on i wouldn't want the police to catch you. i'd find you myself and only need 20 minutes with you.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by ken, croydon

    Monday, July 26 2010, 4:20PM

    “test man, of course whites rob people aswell but not as much as blacks so maybe you need to educate yourself more about the facts........”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Test Man, London

    Monday, July 26 2010, 10:05AM

    “ken, croydon, you must be the most stupidest person ever, cos SHOCK HORROR white people rob people too! Maybe you need to educate yourself properly before coming out with such a trolltastic statement.

    jackie, old coulsdon, that's not proper enlargement and all it will do is make the low-resolution pic look worse. A bigger high-resolution picture should be posted up as zooming in won't rectify the poor quality.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by jackie, old coulsdon

    Sunday, July 25 2010, 5:37PM

    “To enlarge anything on your PC or laptop screen press ctrl & + at the same time and the picture gets larger each time it's pressed.

    Here's hoping the little failed, fake, gangsta,idiot, wannabee's have been caught after this, and shame on those concerned for not publicising this until now. AND shame on their families.

    IF they have any parents or family they must be so proud they can only prey and pick on small children, if that's what they have taught them to do. "God fearing??".

    IF they have "friends", the term is used loosely, they won't be much longer.

    Their faces should be superimposed on anything they can do it on, bus TV screens, cinema screens, in shops and at bus shelters.

    Do it more often to name and shame the criminals who believe deludedly that they are actually feared and they will soon see their fawning hangers-on disappear.

    Maybe they will get a life but it's much too late. You reap what you sow and hope they get whacked hard by the Karma stick, as it usually, happily, happens.

    Take care little girl this has happened to, you will be the one to go on and lead a happy, useful life and get over this. There are more law abiding people than the nobodies you encountered. There are more people you can imagine who are on the side of the law and who "really" are on your side and have normal lives and thoughts and teach their children real "respect" for others. It's unfortunate this happened but you sound like you are from a caring family and that's all you need to take strength from.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Everyone, China

    Sunday, July 25 2010, 8:37AM

    “What are 'Human Rights laws' ?

    Wouldn't that reduce productivity, you'll never put a good Olympics together with that nonsense”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by Frustrated, Lima Kilo

    Saturday, July 24 2010, 10:04PM

    “Arfur,
    You and others who constantly moan about the timescales of images being released have simply no idea about what you are talking about.

    Firstly it takes time for Tram/Train/Bus companies etc to release images to Police. This is of course after the proper forms have been sent in.

    This CCTV then has to be viewed and compiled into a standard DVD format. This takes time.

    Furthermore to release the images to the press at all takes a very senior officer signing it off and reams of data protection/human rights paperwork filling out. This will not be signed off at all unless various other investigations have taken place (unless a very serious case by which I mean murder/stranger rape etc). By the way this all takes time.

    Releasing images so publicly gives suspects time to get rid of incriminating clothing and other evidence. This makes it a last resort.

    To put it in a nutshell it always takes time. If you don't like that contact your local MP and tell them. Maybe the ridiculous amounts of paperwork and human rights laws will be repealed. But don't hold your breath.”

  • Profile image for This is Croydon

    by misterkipling, Croydon

    Friday, July 23 2010, 6:52PM

    “They're probably too young to get charged with it, why can't we just punch them in the face and nick her mobile phone?

    And don't give me that can't hit a lady nonsense, thats no lady, if you want to be treated like one then try being one”

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