Hooded gangs on prowl in park, warn police

David Gibbs:

A QUARTER of robberies in Haringey every day are being caused by youths terrorising one Tottenham park.

Police are urging people to avoid Downhills Park after a spate of up to three a day in the last three weeks.

The attacks are perpetrated by young black men in groups or on their own threatening violence and stealing mobile phones, cash and valuables.

They have taken place between 3pm and 10pm in the evening.

A police spokesman said: "The park has become a robbery hotspot for the borough."

Victims have tended to be people walking alone through the park.

"The robbery squad are undertaking a number of steps to catch the culprits and bring them to justice but, in the meantime, members of the public should be aware of this problem," he said.

"Be sensible when going through the park. Walk in groups. If you can avoid it, do so."

Offenders are described as young, black males aged 15 to 19, wearing dark, hooded tops.

An average of between five and eight robberies take place across the borough each day.

"These robberies are currently making up about a quarter of the daily robbery figures in the borough," said the police spokesman.

Police face an ongoing battle to contain robberies.

"You get a problem in an area, you gather intelligence, you take action and it stops - then it starts somewhere else," he said.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call Haringey police on 020 8345 0763 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.

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