20
Sep
2013
By Calvin at 16:37 GMT, 12 years ago
Police are appealing for witnesses to a robbery in Kidderminster.
It happened between just before 4pm on Tuesday, 17th September.
The 22-year-old victim was walking through the underpass at the top of Blackwell Street, when two men demanded money and his phone and kicked and punched him until he fell to the ground.
He got to his feet and the suspects searched him, taking £60 from his coat pocket along with his white Blackberry Curve mobile phone, worth £160, and walked off towards the Horsefair.
The victim had recently broken his leg, which was in a plaster cast. He did not sustain any further injuries.
It is believed that whilst the incident was taking place there were people walking past, and West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Detective Constable Adrian Smith on the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 369-s-170913 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
TCPW Comment: Three things stand out to me here. First of all the suspects picked on someone who was essentially defenceless and I sincerely hope that if people are brought to justice this aspect will be taken into consideration when sentencing.
Secondly, if there were people walking past the incident as it was happening then I’m not surprised at their lack of involvement, which is simply yet more confirmation that Darwin was right. I once grappled (in uniform) on the ground with a violent shoplifter in a busy Acton High Street for ten minutes before someone came to my assistance and called my colleagues using my radio. It’s just the way it is.
Thirdly – underpasses!!! This is what happens when cars come before people. Underpasses put people in harm’s way by removing them from the crime reducing effects of natural surveillance and supervision. I know this doesn’t quite click with point two above, but sometimes someone will jump in and do their bit, even if it’s to say ‘leave him or her alone’.
When working in Camden I had the pleasure to work with a very understanding and supportive council and we had a couple of underpasses closed due to the level of crime in them. Instead, the pedestrians now cross the busy streets around the Euston Road at surface level with the aid of pedestrian crossings and lights. I wonder if this underpass could be given the same treatment – closed! At the very least it should have CCTV and excellent lighting and the ends of the tunnel should be chamfered to open up exit views. Underpasses are synonymous with ‘stupid’ and I do hope that no more are ever constructed!
If you know anything please help DC Adrian Smith
I shall now go and lie down.
Source: http://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/news-articles/phone-and-cash-stolen-in-kidderminster-robbery.html Issued: Friday, 20 September 2013
