A 26-year-old woman from Brixton thought to be doing an act of kindness was mugged by a homeless man after trying to help him.
On the 15thNovember 2019 Kirsty Barker, a local young woman, was robbed on her way home after walking out of Brixton station where the homeless man had camped out. He had appeared to look “hungry” and “cold” which was why Kirsty had offered him some money, while taking out her purse within seconds he had physically punched her stomach, snatching the purse out her hands and ran off.
He had not only committed one offence that night but several as vagrancy and begging on the street are also offences.
Kirsty exclaimed witnesses had walked by her and observed from over the street, yet no one stopped to help her. Kirsty said “I was in shock as it happened so quickly, and I felt very vulnerable on my walk home”.
During the interview the victim had mentioned how the attack left her “embarrassed” and “frightened” as she no longer felt safe in the community that had raised her. After reporting the attack to the local authorities, they decided to not further investigate, and no further action had taken place from the attack. Kirsty added, “I’ve been pushed aside and neglected and it’s honestly not only taking the trust out of my own community but out of my local authorities”.
Kirsty had further emphasised her frustration, she said “individuals attack these innocent people, but when it is reported it gets dismissed which then makes the offender commit the crime to other victims without any consequences”.
Brixton has been stereotyped to be the high rising town of crime in London. Kirsty’s story helps us narrow the blame, as no matter how minor a crime may be, it must be dealt effectively and immediately by the police, to which it then eliminates any future crimes.
