NEIGHBOURS in Finsbury Park are warning of organised group muggings and urging the police to expand their presence by the tube station late at night.

The area has been identified as a crime hotspot, as locals say that they are feeling unsafe and are witnessing regular phone snatchings, assaults, and drug use.

One couple told the Tribune how they were victims of a “co-ordinated” attack in which a group of teenagers in balaclavas physically assaulted them before stealing a phone.

Kate Eagles and Matthew Chalmers were coming back from a birthday party when the first group of boys approached Mr Chalmers, complimented his shirt, and asked to put their Instagram handle in on his phone.

They then left and the couple felt relieved, but when Ms Eagles and Mr Chalmers walked in the opposite direction down Fonthill Road, another group were waiting for them.

“These three guys wearing masks just came out of nowhere, grabbed my backpack and yanked me back and I fell to the floor”, said Mr Chalmers. “When I was on the floor, their hands were all over me, and they were screaming ‘give us your phone’.”

The police arrived shortly afterwards, but no arrests have been made.

“I know of so many people whose phones have been stolen, but normally it’s someone on a motorbike driving past”, said Ms Eagles. “To have three people use force, wearing balaclavas, feels like a whole different kettle of fish.”

She added: “The police know that this is a hotspot, so surely you could do something about it? I would like more police outside the station itself – that would deter people and make me feel safer”.

Between January and April this year, there were almost 200 reports of “theft from a person” in Finsbury Park alone. The Metropolitan Police have recorded a total of 1,450 crimes in that same period.
Mr Chalmers described the current Finsbury Park crime statistics as “alarming”, and echoed his partner’s calls for a greater police presence.

“Honestly, it’s probably a resourcing thing”, he told the Tribune. “But it would be great to see more uniforms and make people feel safe.”

A Met police spokesperson said: “We understand how distressing it is to be a victim of phone theft, and tackling this crime remains a priority for the Met. While we’ve made progress, we recognise more needs to be done and are continuing to invest in new technology and targeted policing to identify and arrest offenders.

“On Saturday May 23 at around 01:05hrs, police were called to reports of a mobile phone robbery on Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park. Officers attended and carried out initial enquiries. No arrests have been made at this stage.

“Our investigation remains ongoing. We continue to analyse local patterns of offending to inform our response to theft and have increased both uniformed and plain-clothed patrols in areas identified as at higher risk, which includes Finsbury Park.”