Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Concerns about women shoplifters in Wood Green
I am becoming increasingly concerned about gangs of these women operating in Wood Green - again! I know there was a problem with them a few years ago but thought things had calmed down a bit but lately I have noticed lots of them again - yesterday on was on 67 bus and a huge gang got on and quite openly got out all of the clothes they had clearrly just stolen from shops in Wood Green and proceeded to throw the hangers on the floor and remove the price tags. They got off at the Kingsland shopping centre - probably to steal a few more items
I have also seen them begging all along Wood Green High Road- again they operate in gangs and are clearly not homeless and I can't imagine they get a great deal of money
My main concern is for more vulnerable members of the community who may not be as aware as others of potential thieves and pickpockets - like the 83 year old man who was robbed in broad daylight in Islington by two of these women.
I know they are banned from entering the West End now - I would be interested to know what the police are doing about them in Wood Green - perhaps a blanket ban of them entering shops is a good idea? perhaps if they realise that they are not welcome then they might go back to whichever hole they crawled out of?
Sorry trying not to make this sound like a Daily Mail type rant but it makes my blood boil - particularly for the poor shop owners who I can't imagine are having an easy time of it at the moment I am sure the last thing they need is these girls stealing from them.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PaulG on
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Katie
You say we have wasted time quibbling and that you thought we could get on with discussing the matter at hand.
But you haven't posted anything furthering discussion of the "matter in hand". All you have done was attack Malcolm's post.
On the other hand I have questioned how any ban could work in practice and also asked for further info of the reported West End ban.
I believe this does relate to the "matter at hand".
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Permalink Reply by Katy Mendes on
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I did just ask if we could discuss - is this not showing an interest? Yet again, please focus on the matter at hand, which is what I have been asking us all to do from the outset.
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Sorry Site Admin, but I'm really not that impressed by this.
What is the thinking behind changing someone's title? I wouldn't be too pleased if you changed the title of one of my discussions. In any event it is plain that the issues - NOT complaints - that some have raised arise not just from the title but the post itself. That is NOT to say it was improper, or prejudiced - but quite possibly unfocused.
So when you say that "it is perfectly clear that the original post is not complaining about this group of women because of their ethnicity" my response, naturally, is that I agree it is clear - so why are you pointing it out? No-one at all has accused the OP of complaining about this group of women because of their ethnicity.
Indeed I have raised a practical issue in my post - what is to be done? Ban all Eastern European women from Wood Green? I do not believe that is what is proposed so I am simply asking, what is being proposed?
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I personally worked with a gang of East European women. Polish to be precise. They worked extremely hard as engineers. Although this post meandered off the original idea it has been very interesting.
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Permalink Reply by Tammy Palmer on
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Hi Hob
I work with three Polish girls who I have to say work harder than anyone else in our office and also are more technically qualified than most of us put together - I think there is a real emphasis on education and the importnace of qualifications in Poland - I am sure they all have more than one degree - I thought getting the one was hard enough!!!
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Yes Tamara. I found myself in a similar position. I can see from your replies that your title was not as you meant it to come across. I still found the whole discussion very interesting and it made people think. Good for the site.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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IN urging the fullest possilbe description of the offenders, I would have thought "Eastern European", though covering a vast area, would still narrow down the description a little out of the entire population.
Of course, we could go the other way and do everything possible not to help to identify them. The word "gang" could be thought to be tendentious, an affront to human rights and cultural values if not downright racist. "Group" would be much more neutral.
And of course, shoplifting hasn't (yet) been proven in court. It really should be alleged shoplifting. And then again "shoplifting" could be thought of as prejudicial. It's probably just a misunderstanding and the girls are really just borrowing things without the owner's permission.
And thus we have a group of mammalian creatures, allegedly borrowing clothing, forgetting first to ask permission (probably due to a cultural misunderstanding).
That wouldn't be an especially helpful description for the police in catching these low-lifes, though, would it? As a previous poster suggested, the thieves must find the sensitivity of some English quite risible.
Perhaps this group of misguided souls could be in line for a council grant in order to help them become even more familiar with confusing English customs, like paying for goods in stores.
[In praise of East European women: I happen to be quite friendly with one member of that group – not the shoplifters, an honest and hard worker].
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Hi All
I honestly don't mind about the title being changed - it was clumsy on part and open to misinterpretation
Paulie in answer to your question about the West End ban - If I remember rightly the Council imposed a ban and worked with transport for London to ban them begging on the tube - I think it was basically due to the ammount of pickpocketing and theft that was taking place - I don't know if the ban has been relaxed as I saw a large group outside the back of Selfridges a couple of weeks ago - I assume they are still banned from the tube though as have seen a few times reccently girls getting on with babies and then begging - the baby is covered fully by a blanket until the tube doors close worryingly I have seen this really late at night and wondered why on earth a child so small was being taken out at that time. I will have have a look on google and see if I can find something - I am also fairly certain that I have read a few other London councils using a blanket ban and or giving ASBOs to known shoplifters or gangs of shoplifters - but I am 99% certain the West End one was specific to this particular group - I think I only remember it as I was so surprised at the time
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Permalink Reply by HoL Site Admin on
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A number of folk were complaining about the use of Eastern European in this context. As the only place it was used was in the title, it seemed expedient to remove it. As Alan suggests, words can be powerful things. We should focus on the issue of organised criminal gangs operating in the area. We deemed it necessary to make clear that this post was within our terms and conditions and why.
As is the way of these things, whenever we take an action, there are people that do not agree with it. If Tamara felt our action was unfair, she is able to return it to its original one by simply clicking 'edit discussion'.
Apologies, Tamara, if we were a little quick off the mark. Your comments are noted for the future, Paulie.
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honestly no apology required - I just wanted to discuss a genuine concern about something I had seen and was not particularly elequent in my chice of wording for the title!!
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Permalink Reply by Louise Nazeraj on
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I've just shown my husband this thread and he laughed his Albanian head off. Honestly people, get a grip.
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We urge people to dial 999 in an emergency.
An emergency is when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.
The non-emergency police number is 0300 123 1212
Use the non-emergency number to obtain contact details for your local Safer Neighbourhoods team, seek advice on police matters, or comment on the service you have received from the police.
Wood Green, is a busy urban area and has a number of police teams that are dedicated to policing it and providing a visible deterrent and reassurance within your local community.
The Safer Transport team are there to make you feel safer when using public transport and tackle issues, such as reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on buses and around the transport hubs.
The Wood Green Safer Town Centre team was set up specifically to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour issues solely relating to Wood Green Town Centre.
Noel Park Safer Neighbourhoods team covers much of the Wood Green shopping area, with other neighbouring Safer Neighbourhoods teams also assisting in providing a presence in the surrounding area.
While travelling through Wood Green, the chances are you will see a uniformed officer on patrol.
The high visibility presence of police is a real deterrent to offenders.
Wood Green has excellent CCTV coverage, which is a valuable tool in both deterring crime and in assisting police with bringing offenders to justice.
Any shopping area is likely to become a target for pickpockets due the high volume of people in the area and the opportunity to see where people place their money or wallet.
Police issue the following crime prevention advice:
Crime Prevention Advice:
Be aware of your surroundings
If withdrawing cash, (whether from an ATM, a bank, or getting cash back at a supermarket), be vigilant, put the money away securely and discreetly before leaving the counter/machine
Watch out for potential 'set-ups', such as someone distracting you while someone else steals your wallet or purse
Listen to your instincts. If something feels strange, it probably is, move away and seek help.
Always keep purses/handbags closed and carry them close to the front of your body, or held tightly under your arm.
Keep your valuables close to your body, in a zipped up inside pocket. Don't just leave your wallet at the top of your bag, push it down deep, where it can't be easilly reached, or zip it inside an internal compartment.
If your purse/handbag is slung over your head, consider wearing it under your coat (this makes it harder for a thief to get to)
Never leave your bag unattended or turn your back on it.
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