Mums are seeking to protect their children

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A MUMS squad is running safety patrols on the streets in a fightback against teenage muggers.

Parents of schoolchildren from Islington say their teenagers are afraid to walk home after a spate of attacks by older boys robbing mobile phones.

One is so shaken they are sleeping with the lights on and another has become noticeably more clingy, the mums said.

Furious with police inaction, they have been in discussions about identifying “hot spots” in Old Street and around Angel.

“I’ve had a lot of parents who want to get together because everyone is having the same experience,” Sinead Masterson, from the Old Street area, told the Tribune.

“We’re going to do some patrols to make sure the kids feel safer. I know a couple of mums already did one today, and me and another mum are going to go on Friday. We’re all in the same boat and we’re all worried that something is going to happen to them, so hopefully this will give them some security and reassurance.”

She added: “I think we need to make everyone recognise what’s going on and make everyone more vigilant. I want police officers and the local councillors to all be on board, so they know what’s happening, and so they can work with the local schools to keep the kids safe.”

The group has come together after Ms Masterson posted online about her 13-year-old son being followed home from school and threatened last week.

In less than 24 hours, her post had received a flood of comments from parents who were worried for their children’s safety.

Ms Masterson said she contacted the police immediately after the incident, and they assured her an officer would come to take a statement. But no one arrived, she said.

“I called them back the next day, and they said they would come at 6pm, but they didn’t. Then I called them on Friday, and again they said they would come but didn’t.”

She added that the incident had “completely shaken” her son.

“It’s the after-effects of it. The phone is replaceable, that’s not the point. It’s the trauma that he’s had to go through. He’s 13 and he’s sleeping with the lights on because he’s scared,” Ms Masterson said.

The mum of three added that she felt “let down” by the police.

“I’ve never been one to criticise the police,” she said, “I’ve always said they’re important, but it makes me so angry that they don’t do anything about these types of crimes.”

Jan Herring’s grandson was another victim of a mugging two weeks ago. “They roughed him up, they shook him and took the phone out of his pocket.

“It’s terrible really because we know they’re not just taking phones. You’re thinking we can’t get the things we want him to wear, because we’re worried it’ll get taken off his back.”

Ms Herring and her husband immediately reported the incident to the police but said they were not able to help.

She said: “You tell them what they look like, you tell them where they are, they are not interested. That’s the truth, they’re just not that interested.”

Ms Herring added: “When they did take it, my grandson said “why?”, he couldn’t understand why they were doing it. Although he is 12, he’s become very clingy to me. He’s hanging on my arm. I’ve noticed a little change in him. Obviously we do tell him about things, that’s why we say ‘if anyone confronts you, just give it to them. We can replace that, we can’t replace you.’ What we’re saying to him is the truth.”

Ms Masterson is now organising a meeting in Betty Brunker hall, Lever Street, on December 11 which is a chance for parents to “share concerns, brainstorm solutions, and work towards making our area safer for everyone”. She added: “It’s clear that action needs to be taken, and the more voices we have, the stronger we’ll be.”

Cllr Michelline Safi Ngongo, executive member for children, young people and families, said that the safety, security, and wellbeing of residents is a “top priority” and that the council is “determined to ensure that Islington’s young people can grow up in a safe environment”.

She added: “Mugging is a serious crime, and we are committed to supporting the police in their efforts to reduce crime and enhance public safety. Our approach includes targeted initiatives like coordinating robbery prevention efforts, securing funding for youth interventions, implementing a successful summer safety plan, and managing weapon surrender bins that have removed thousands of weapons from the streets.”

Superintendent Jack May-Robinson, of Islington Neighbourhoods team, said: “We are aware of recent concerns linked to robberies in the Islington area and are investigating those that have been reported to us.

“We appreciate the heightened community concern, particularly among parents, as several reports appear to involve young people.

“Please rest assured we have increased police patrols and are doing what we can to keep the community safe in the lead-up to Christmas.

“We have been working hard to reduce incidents of robbing in Islington. Since the start of the financial year, we have seen a 13.5 per cent reduction of such crime in the area.”