walkers robbed by masked men

Dorcas · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 02:50 PM

this is not good news

BBC NEWS | England | Gloucestershire | Walkers targeted by masked gang

fingers crossed this does not set a precedence - might make me think twice about what camera equipment I carry

Boddie · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 03:16 PM

Yep, you really do have to be ultra vigilant nowadays. I have heard of this happening alot and it does not always get reported. I know this for a fact.

Dorcas · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 03:42 PM

really?

I'm not doubting you but it is a surprise to me. In the car parks yes. I've always walked alone in the lakes and dales for the last 20 odd years and never heard of folk being robbed on a footpath....

will be extra vigilant from now on

Jane_Russell · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 04:06 PM

Very sad that people can't even enjoy the countryside without being robbed

Jane

Boddie · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorcas

really?

I'm not doubting you but it is a surprise to me. In the car parks yes. I've always walked alone in the lakes and dales for the last 20 odd years and never heard of folk being robbed on a footpath....

will be extra vigilant from now on

Ask Nottingham police what Sherwood forest is like. Also the New Forest. Happens round here occasionally. I've heard of it in Bradgate park

speckled wood · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

Yep, you really do have to be ultra vigilant nowadays. I have heard of this happening alot and it does not always get reported. I know this for a fact.

I seem to remember that Dai The Dragon had a bad experience a few weeks ago, not a robbery but possibly could have turned out that way.

glsammy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

Ask Nottingham police what Sherwood forest is like. Also the New Forest. Happens round here occasionally. I've heard of it in Bradgate park

Sherwood Forest is a huge area, there are some definite no go areas but others that have very little crime. I go there often and have never heard or seen any problems whatsoever, but I know where not to go!

aeshna5 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 05:04 PM

Dorcas, don't be intimidated by these lowlifes, or they have won. Yes, be sensible + don't carrry expensive items you won't use, but though these things happen, I don't think it's that common. Many years ago I was badly mugged in London + though it was scary + brutal, you have to pick yourself up + carry on your life as you wish to lead it + not cow to these thugs.

Ought to bring back the stocks + birch for these predatory scum!

chunkychambers · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Dorcas, don't be intimidated by these lowlifes, or they have won. Yes, be sensible + don't carrry expensive items you won't use, but though these things happen, I don't think it's that common. Many years ago I was badly mugged in London + though it was scary + brutal, you have to pick yourself up + carry on your life as you wish to lead it + not cow to these thugs.

Ought to bring back the stocks + birch for these predatory scum!

Sad to read this post mate........
Down here we are relatively untouched by this sort of thing, but it does happen.
I can just endorse what you've said.......be sensible and wary but don't let it spoil your enjoyment

Dorcas · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Dorcas, don't be intimidated by these lowlifes, or they have won. Yes, be sensible + don't carrry expensive items you won't use, but though these things happen, I don't think it's that common. Many years ago I was badly mugged in London + though it was scary + brutal, you have to pick yourself up + carry on your life as you wish to lead it + not cow to these thugs.

Ought to bring back the stocks + birch for these predatory scum!

thank you Aeshna - I'm not intimidated but it is unusual on a designated long distance footpath. But then having read it again looks as though they were in a car park.

I take your point about Sherwood Forest - I would also be wary in that case.

MTR · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 05:53 PM

Hi

I can speak from experience myself and a few others had a similar problem whilst returning from the Scilly Isles. We stopped off at a small lake to get a glimpse of a duck we only left the car for a short while and when we got back they had removed the entire contents.

MTR

Boddie · #12 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 06:01 PM

Thats not the best is it. What do insurance say about something like that?

Susie · #13 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 06:58 PM

I was warned a while ago not to have RSPB stickers or such like on my car because thieves target cars like this in reserve carparks because of the likelihood of expensive photographic equipment being left in them (not that I own any).

Only last week a jogger was attacked by a knife wielding mugger in Ruislip Woods, Middx and I am again being told it isn't safe to go out on my own. Guess what I said in reply ....

Boddie · #14 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 07:05 PM

What?

nightshade · #15 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 07:09 PM

Cycle tracks have long been a target,youngsters have their cycles snatched

Best is not to have obvious camera bags ,keep it discrete and keep it

Susie · #16 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 07:15 PM

Same thing as I told them last time they said I shouldn't go out by myself. Who's gonna stop me?

Oscar2006 · #17 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

Thats not the best is it. What do insurance say about something like that?

Just replying for MTR (I was one of the unfortunates)
As it happens they all paid up without any trouble.

Just needed the Police incident number.

The hassle was the time spent with the old bill, cancelling a credit card

and then returning to collect our dirty washing when it was found about an hour later!

glsammy · #18 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 07:19 PM

My expensive equipment goes around my neck, they could have it if they like, after I've given them a monopod uppercut to remember their manners..

In reality no doubt I'd meekly hand it all over..

Dorcas · #19 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie

Same thing as I told them last time they said I shouldn't go out by myself. Who's gonna stop me?

ditto

I took my rspb stickers off cos at the time Badger baiters didn't take too kindly to seeing them - quite a few where I lived at the time but good point - all those good telescopes etc

Boddie · #20 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 09:44 PM

Logic would tell me that birdwatchers would have their scopes etc with them at reserves etc. I think these crooks sit and watch, keep an eye on what you are leaving etc. I think it best to stop before the reserve and get everything out onto the back seat and dont open the boot infront of others - maybe only to show it is empty.

eeyore · #21 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 10:18 PM

its nasty, but i refuse to be intimidated I'll deal with it if it happens but I wont be giving up my kit without a fight.

I was mugged at an ATM last year , i gave him my money ..... then slashed him across the face with my cash card, thumbed him in the eye and booted him through the knee... and took my money back as he rolled about on the ground screaming - being a charitable chap I phoned an ambulance , and the bill , on my way home

I certainly cant get my head round being mugged while in the car ... I'd just run the suckers over

Duke of York · #22 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsammy

Sherwood Forest is a huge area, there are some definite no go areas but others that have very little crime. I go there often and have never heard or seen any problems whatsoever, but I know where not to go!

We've been to Sherwood Forest a few times and have never had any problems and my partner's dad goes all the time and he has never mentioned any problems either.

So I'm just curious where the areas not to go are???

honeybee · #23 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 10:58 PM

Thanks for posting that Dorcas because I hadn't heard about it. I know of a few places such as around painswick beacon and Witcombe roman villa where the car parks always have broken glass in them where cars are regularly broken into. I tend to go to more remote places.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

its nasty, but i refuse to be intimidated I'll deal with it if it happens but I wont be giving up my kit without a fight.

I was mugged at an ATM last year , i gave him my money ..... then slashed him across the face with my cash card, thumbed him in the eye and booted him through the knee... and took my money back as he rolled about on the ground screaming - being a charitable chap I phoned an ambulance , and the bill , on my way home

I certainly cant get my head round being mugged while in the car ... I'd just run the suckers over

I'm glad you say this Pete. I don't condone violence but if anyone tried it with me i'd certainly give them a good kicking unless they were pointing a gun at my head. Probably not recommended action to take!

glsammy · #24 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke of York

We've been to Sherwood Forest a few times and have never had any problems and my partner's dad goes all the time and he has never mentioned any problems either.

So I'm just curious where the areas not to go are???

The main area where the visitor centre is is fine..You have to pay to get in so that simple tactic foils the crooks! The problem areas are the off road parking areas, especially off the Coxmoor road, heading towards Kirkby in Ashfield. Little Nomanshill Wood is notorious.
Basically if you stick to the main ones your usually fine.

eeyore · #25 (**permalink**) 03-12-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee

I'm glad you say this Pete. I don't condone violence but if anyone tried it with me i'd certainly give them a good kicking unless they were pointing a gun at my head. Probably not recommended action to take!

I dont ge