Fed Up Families Say Knife Carrying Youths From Outside The Borough Are Terrorising Schoolchildren-Police Step Up Patrols.

“We are aware of concerns around schools of young people being targeted for mobile phones, coats and personal property.I want to reassure the community that we have a policing plan in place around schools and peak transport hubs,”-Inspector Connolly.

Families across Havering say they are sick and tired of children being targeted by knife carrying youths on their way home from school as another shocking robbery involving a 13 year old boy has sparked anger.

The teenager had just finished school and was still wearing his school uniform when he got off a bus on Upminster Road South before walking towards Grangewood Road.

Three youths who had travelled on the same bus followed him.

After catching up with the boy, one of the suspects demanded his phone and threatened to “shank” him if he refused. The youth then showed what appeared to be the handle of a knife tucked into his waistband.

Terrified for his safety, the 13 year old handed over his phone and was then forced to reveal the passwords to the device.

The ordeal did not end there.

The frightened teenager was then forced to walk back towards Upminster Road South alongside the suspects while worried residents came outside after noticing something was wrong.

In an apparent attempt to avoid suspicion from members of the public, the main suspect forced the boy to hug him so it looked as though they were friends.

The gang later fled towards Tesco in Rainham, leaving the schoolboy shaken and distressed as he made his way home.

One brave resident attempted to follow the suspects in his vehicle but lost sight of them near Tesco.

The incident has fuelled growing anger among Havering parents who say too many young people are now carrying knives and targeting schoolchildren for phones, jackets and trainers.

Police say specialist teams are working hard to tackle the issue.

South Havering Inspector Mark Connolly told the Havering Daily:

“We are aware of concerns around schools of young people being targeted for mobile phones, coats and personal property.

“I want to reassure the community that we have a policing plan in place around schools and peak transport hubs.

“We are proactively working on this matter which will include high visibility policing and officers deployed in a covert capacity.

“We are working with our intelligence teams across the borough using identification processes to arrest anyone found committing offences.

“I would caution against the use of social media to speculate on offenders and would ask the community to report concerns using 101 or 999.”

Residents can also contact their local schools officer and neighbourhood policing teams through Met Engage

Many residents are now calling for tougher action against knife crime and increased police patrols around schools and transport routes as fears continue to grow for the safety of Havering’s children.

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