Man who assaulted and robbed women across Havering is jailed after proactive work by plain clothes Havering Joint Task Force officers.

During the investigation, officers spoke with three victims, all were women aged between 35 and 57, they had been approached by Wade and assaulted until they let go of their handbags. 

Havering Joint Task Force officers in plain clothes launched a special operation in Collier Row after women across Havering were assaulted and robbed. This operation has led to a Romford man now being jailed.

Dean Wade, 38 of Ethelburga Road, Romford was sentenced on Thursday, 29 February at Snaresbrook Crown Court to five years and six months imprisonment for one count of robbery, two counts of theft, two counts of dangerous driving, actual bodily harm, driving whilst disqualified and no insurance.  

He was also disqualified from driving for 55 months.

This follows an investigation by officers from the East Area Command into a linked series of robberies where women were assaulted and their handbags snatched. 

Details of the offences are: 

 On 22 July 2023 a 57-year-old woman was robbed at Marlborough Road, Romford. 

On 27 July 2023 a 35-year-old woman was robbed at Colchester Road, Romford.

On 27 July 2023 a 41-year-old woman was robbed at Horns Road, Ilford.

 On the night of Thursday, 27 July 2023, plain clothed officers conducted a man hunt in the Collier Row area looking for the suspect’s car, a black Ford Focus. 

 At around 22:00 Wade was spotted driving the vehicle.

 Officers stopped the car and Wade immediately became aggressive. Following a brief struggle, that left one of the officers with a knee injury, Wade was arrested on suspicion of robbery and was taken to an east London Police station.

The Ford Focus was found to have been displaying cloned number plates. 

 Wade was charged on 28 July 2023 with two counts of robbery, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. On Wednesday, 21 February additional offences of theft, actual bodily harm and dangerous driving, were added to Wade’s charges. In court he pleaded guilty. 

 The investigation into Wade’s movements resulted in a partnership with Essex Police. This joint approach identified an additional vehicle involved in the commission of the first offence and then the recovery of stolen property, further proving Wade’s involvement.

 During the investigation, officers spoke with three victims, all were women aged between 35 and 57, they had been approached by Wade and assaulted until they let go of their handbags. 

 One woman’s elderly father was also injured when he tried to stop Wade from fleeing the scene. Thankfully, nobody suffered lasting physical injuries. 

 DC Adam Offord said: “Dean Wade’s offences were callous and cowardly. He chose to target lone women and was prepared to assault them in order to steal their belongings. Havering is safer now that he is behind bars.

 “I would like to thank the victims who came forward to assist the investigation – each report helped us build a picture of the suspect, his movements and his vehicle. 

 “We fully understand the devastating effects of robbery for anyone unlucky enough experience it and I sincerely hope that everyone targeted by Wade has been able to recover and move forward – something Wade himself will not be doing for some considerable time.”

 If you have been a victim of robber or attempted robbery please do report it to police by dialling 101 or online at www.met.police.uk

To remain 100 percent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.  

Any young people who have information about violence or knife crime, can visit www.fearless.org where they can pass on information anonymously – your I.P address will not be traced. 

Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.

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