A SPATE of robberies and theft in Parsons Green has prompted police to warn residents to be extra vigilant.
Two violent thefts took place on Sunday and, in an earlier attack last week, a man in a tuxedo had his phone stolen.
The first robbery was on Sunday at about 3.30am when a 23-year-old victim from South Kensington was attacked in Novello Street, close to Eel Brook Common.
Two men approached the victim and demanded to know what he had in his pockets. They then hinted that one was carrying a knife, grabbed his wrists, punched him in the face and stole his iPhone and wallet.
The attackers were white, aged about 17, 5ft 10ins tall and spoke with a ‘street’ accent, police said. One wore a dark-coloured hooded top, the other had facial hair and wore a grey top with the hood up.
In the second attack on Sunday, which police say is not linked, two raiders on a moped mounted the kerb outside Idea Bright in New Kings Road and tried to grab the phone of a 22-year-old Fulham man, but failed.
Their victim had been sitting on his bike on the pavement and sending a text from his phone.
They pair are described as between 18 and 20. One wore a black helmet without a visor, a black snood and black clothes and the other wore a black helmet with the visor down and black gloves.
The attacks came after 26-year-old Tim Denny was approached on Wandsworth Bridge Road after a night out on October 27 and had his iPhone taken.
He said: “Two guys, probably in their late teens, came up to me looking aggressive. I thought I was going to end up in a fight. One bumped me and apologised. Soon after I saw my phone had gone.”
A spike in robberies in the six months leading to April this year prompted police to make crime a priority.
There were 38 attacks in the area bordering Fulham Road in the north, Munster Road to the West, Wandsworth Bridge in the south and Walham Green to the east.
An increase in patrols and stop-and-search action brought the number of robberies down to 23 in the following six months, but the latest have prompted police to remind residents of the need to be vigilant.
Phones should be kept out of sight and pedestrians should walk through well-lit areas.
Anyone taking a call should walk on the inside of the pavement with the handset on their left side to minimise the risk of a snatch.
