Wallet and mobile phone snatches on the rise in Eltham High Street, elderly residents fear
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
South London shoppers are ‘wary’ of using their high street because pickpockets are snatching phones and purses from residents on a regular basis.
Residents living around Eltham High Street have claimed individuals are targeting pensioners in the road in pickpocketing and theft offences, with one woman having close to £2,000 in cash taken.
Maureen Metcalfe, 82, said the issue has got much worse in recent years. She said she has noticed a lot of elderly women walking around with their bags open, suggesting they’ve been targeted and are unaware, with young people also snatching valuable items such as phones.
She said: “I only come here about twice a week nowadays. I used to come more but if you have to go to the bank, you’re very wary.
“I remember I was in the [bank] and a lady came in panicked. She said she had the bottom of her bag slashed. That’s what they do. She had lost £500. I think they target older people because their reactions are not as quick.”
Ms Metcalfe said despite her worries, she still has good faith in the police but would like to see officers patrolling the high street more frequently.
Norma Small, 77, has lived in Eltham for 50 years and uses the high street every day. She said she was pickpocketed on the road a few years ago after she visited the bank so it’s not a new issue, though the frequency appears to be increasing.
She said: “Someone must have been watching me because I took money out for Christmas and a holiday then went to a charity shop. I felt somebody [in my bag] when I moved. I had £2,000 and they left me with £150. They just grabbed it and ran. I was beside myself.”
Data from the Met Police found there had been a general increase in offences relating to theft in Eltham High Street from January to April of this year, increasing from 19 to 34 offences a month between those months.
These crimes included burglary, shoplifting and robbery offences.
Inspector Jo Chapman, responsible for policing the Eltham area, said: “We have listened to the concerns of the community and increased the number of neighbourhood officers assigned to this area.”
However, she added: “This year has seen a significant decline in antisocial incidents compared to the previous 12 months, while reports of shoplifting incidents have also reduced.”
Greenwich council runs the Business Crime Reduction Partnership in Eltham, a service that collaborates with businesses and the police to address issues such as shoplifting, vandalism, and public disorder.
A council spokesman said: “It’s our mission to make sure everyone is and feels safe and we’re proud to be investing in new resources to support this.”
Pictured top: Maureen Metcalfe in Eltham High Street (Picture: Joe Coughlan)