Wandsworth and Streatham businesses on high alert after armed gang robbery increase (From Your Local Guardian)

Wandsworth and Streatham businesses on high alert after armed gang robbery increase

7:00am Thursday 26th November 2009

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Police have warned pubs and post offices to be on high alert as three masked gangs terrorise businesses across Lambeth.

Two gangs of hooded teenagers brandishing guns and knives are believed to be responsible for up to eight robberies of newsagents and post offices in Streatham and Clapham in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, an older gang is believed to be behind the armed robberies of five pubs in the borough in November.

Police believe the surge in robbery among teenage criminals is because market saturation is moving many away from drug dealing.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Sedgemore, who is in charge of Lambeth CID's robbery team, said: “Younger criminals are moving to different sorts of offences. Increasingly they believe robbery is an easier way to get money than drug dealing, where the market is small, and there is too much competition."

The teenage gangs last struck on Saturday when they robbed the Post Office and Underwood Food and Wine, in Leigham Vale.

It was the third time the business has been targeted in the past month.

Owner Dinesh Patel called the experience "terrifying", and said three men wearing balaclavas burst in to the shop at 12noon.

He said: "They grabbed my worker behind the till and held a gun to his throat. They took £300 and then were gone in flash. There were a few customers in the shop at the time. We are all shaken up that it happened. We are so frightened it keeps happening."

The most recent offence by the older gang saw robbers burst into the Gipsy Hill Tavern at 2.30am on Tuesday, November 17 - hours after cult rockers Ash played a gig there - and threaten staff inside with a firearm.

They failed to grab the night's takings but made off with bags, bank cards and £70 in cash belonging to the barmaids.

Police do not believe the gangs are intrinsically linked, but do believe information is being passed on in the borough's criminal underworld about "easy targets".

They said businesses who are worried about their security should contact their local safer neighbourhood team for advice.

Lambeth officers are now planning a number of operations in the borough with the Flying Squad and police firearms teams.

Police believe the problem could still worsen as shops and pubs handle greater quantities of cash in the run-up to Christmas.

DCI Sedgemore said: "We are asking staff to be extra vigilant, to report any suspicious behaviour to police."

Anyone with information that could help investigations in to any of the robberies should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or police on 020 8247 7932.

• Arthur Tucker, 31, will next appear at Kingston Crown Court on January 19 charged with two counts of robbery.

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