The inside track on the Rector of Wanstead, the Reverend James Gilder, reacting to thieves robbing Wanstead Co-op.
I was in the Co-op buying some postage stamps when I heard a commotion. Two thieves rushed past me and I didn’t have much of a chance to react, but turning I saw another slower one, who had tripped over. Staff were approaching but understandably, didn’t want to touch him, presumably due to their own safety and training. So I used my not-inconsiderable weight to detain the man from getting away, by very inexpertly restraining him on the floor. He kept claiming I’d punched him in the eye, which was absolute rubbish. All I could think to say back was ‘I’m the vicar for goodness sake!’.
A member of staff called the police. As it was likely to take quite a long time to deal with and I had work to do, I checked that everyone was ok, and that the man wasn’t going to run off before the police arrived – then I bought my stamps and left in order to catch the post as it was about half past four.
It was a spur of the moment thing and I probably wouldn’t recommend anyone getting involved in this way.
Rev Gilder, who combines his duties with being a magistrate, is definitely not seeking the limelight (he was responding to Wansteadium’s query), but crime on Wanstead High Street is something exercising people.
Wansteadium reader Gemma writes:
“The lack of police presence or shop security has led to an increased number of shops (Boots, Tesco, Co-op & M&S) being robbed several times on a daily basis. Staff are left shaken and yet no changes are made from headquarters or in regards to police presence. Recently my four-year-old witnessed two quite violent robberies at both the Co-op & Boots involving armed men wearing balaclavas! No one feels safe on the high street & crime/safety of residents is being put into question.”
- Longtime readers may be interested to know that this is the 3,000th post Wansteadium has run since its inception in 2010.
Very well done to the Vicar! We often think these things aren’t our responsibility and someone else can deal with them – which has led to people feeling like they can do whatever they want. If more of the public in Wanstead cohesively stood strong together, the theives would know that Wanstead is no longer an easy target.
If anyone wants to question or ask the police, there is a Safer Neighbourhood meeting on Wednesday 3rd September at Wanstead House at 6.30 for a 7pm meeting. Councillors and Police from Wanstead village are present as are wardens from Epping Forest.
Any issues that Wanstead Village residence have please come along to the meeting to voice your concerns and see what priorities we need to set for the area. Our last meeting was a joint meeting with Wanstead Park, so I am not too sure if this is the same set up for this meeting, Any members of Wanstead Village safer Neighbourhoods please correct me if this is not a JOINT meeting
I stopped a shop lifter in Boots recently. I tried to block her way but she walked past me so l grabbed the hood or her coat. I then restrained her until she dropped all the stolen goods – empty boxes she claimed! All the while l was on the receiving end of less than polite language. She was clearly a drug addict. Then last Saturday Boots was raided by a gang who ripped out the till.
Shop lifting seems to be getting worse in the High Street and how long before shops start closing because of it. Losing Boots and the Co-op (who appear to suffer the worst) would be sad and inconvenient for many people.
Well done to the Vicar for restraining that criminal and fightback by the public would go a long way to reduce our shoplifting scourge but assess your personal safety first.
Scaremongering.
I certainly feel safe on the High Street. There is, sadly, some crime everywhere but Wanstead is not an especially high crime area.
It’s a pity that the piece doesn’t provide any context or statistics.
Any crime is too much.
Punishment is pathetic.
And PACE is pastits sellby date.
Seeing people set fire in restaurants who on earth would give evidence.
Yet the police know most of the criminals
Cost of living or druhs are zero excuse.
Shorter trials scrap sentencing reports Punishment that stops not gots the crime.
Best wishes Alan Jeffery
People need to attend the meeting on the 3rd and ask why the authories are turning a blind eye to crime that is impacting the community and putting shop workers in danger and result in injury to them for simply doing a job of work to feed their families
Spellcheck failed
Well done, Rector James! It would be rather interesting if the thief were to turn up in your courtroom whilst you were magistrating!
Can you imagine how terrifying this can be for the staff mostly on minimum wage ,and then you get some champagne socialist saying that it’s scaremongering. I doubt they would like to work under daily threat of violent robbery .