Oliver Twist-style teenage robbery gangs are targeting security staff carrying cash boxes in Lambeth.
The borough is a hotspot for security robbery, according to the Met’s Flying Squad, with 24 ambushes on security staff taking place between April 1 2008, and 31 March 2009.
Mark Field, acting detective chief inspector at Tower Bridge Flying Squad, said gangs carrying out the robberies were often led by an experienced “Fagin” character who recruits younger teenagers, some as young as 13, to do his dirty work.
Police believe this kind of theft, known as Cash in Transit (CIT) robbery, may have become more fashionable among teenagers, when previously it was carried out by career criminals in their 30s and 40s.
DCI Mark Field said: “Nowadays, when they’re 13 years old, they’re hearing from their peers that CIT crime is the one to do. It may give them the bravado factor.”
Robbers often cover their faces with balaclava before ambushing security staff in the street and threatening or assaulting them to get cash.
Officers shadow and track security vans, conduct high visibility patrols and give talks in schools to discourage youngsters from the CIT crime.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here