Robber held woman at knifepoint in Longton as she waited at traffic lights
POLICE are hunting an armed street-robber after a terrified woman was held up at knifepoint as she waited at traffic lights in her car.
The victim was forced to hand over her purse when the attacker dived into her car, which had paused in King Street, Longton, as she made her way home from work.
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The man, in his thirties, sat in the passenger seat of the woman's Silver Honda Civic and threatened her with a knife before taking cash and fleeing the scene.
Now officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward in a bid to track down the robber, who is described as white, of medium build and with a round, unshaven face.
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He is believed to have been wearing a grey woollen hat, a black padded waist-length jacket and dark baggy jeans.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "At approximately 10.10pm on Friday a lone female was driving home from work in her Silver Honda Civic car and was caused to stop by a red traffic light on King Street at the junction of Times Square, Longton.
"Her passenger door was opened by an offender and a white male got into the car and sat in the passenger seat.
"He threatened her with a knife and took money from her.
"If anyone witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the police, they should contact DC Morgan at Hanley Police Station."
Traders in Longton said they were shocked by the robbery.
Mandy Hughes, who works in Spellestial, in The Strand, said: "It's really scary. I have been in Longton at night and there are a few unsavoury characters. I just hope the woman is OK.
"It's a shock that something like this has happened in a reasonably quiet street. I only hope it doesn't start happening in broad daylight."
Ellis Bevan, who runs music shop Bevans, also in The Strand, and is president of Longton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "It's absolutely terrible when you hear things like this happening. It's not what Longton needs.
"I can't imagine how terrified she was being held at knifepoint in her own car. I just hope they can catch the nasty piece of work who did this.
"The town is much safer than it used to be 10 years ago when there were a lot of drug users hanging around. That seems to have got better since a centre opened for them but unfortunately crimes like this do seem to happen."
A 43-year-old man, who preferred not to be named, added: "These crimes are getting more and more common. It was probably someone who was drunk and saw an opportunity to make some quick cash."
Officers stepped up patrols in Longton Town Centre over the weekend and are now viewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
Witnesses should call DC 4087 Morgan at Operation Impact at Hanley Police Station on 01785 233 064, or via 101 quoting incident number 815 of August 31.
Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by Ron DePlume
Monday, September 03 2012, 1:50PM
“If anyone is concerned about this a lot of modern cars can be programmed with Anti Hijack by your local dealers. Many Vauxhalls have this feature (Including Astra's from the H range upwards) and it is as simple as plugging it into the code reader and activating the feature.
As you say Joly, your old Punto has it and in some countries its a must. I have a South African friend who would tell me tales of attempted hijackings in her homeland and their Police advised to always keep the doors locked as well as not stop for red lights after dark if you were a lone female.”
by Jolyteddy
Monday, September 03 2012, 1:20PM
“My old N Reg Punto has automatic locking so i would have thought that mist modern cars have this.
Being female, this has always made me feel safe, since my son had someone try to get into his car at Cobridge traffic lights, some years ago.”
by Ron DePlume
Monday, September 03 2012, 1:12PM
“Can I just add these links for anyone else who thinks like oldmanofmow that locking a door is dangerous, all of these sites advocate lone females locking their doors. Those are just a few of endless sites that all offer the same advice.
Road Driver, Safety Advice for Female Drivers: http://tinyurl.com/c5wyasy
Belfast Police Warn Females to Lock Doors after carjackings:
http://tinyurl.com/chw54vk
Safety Tips for Women Drivers: http://tinyurl.com/cvmscc4
Smart Driving: http://tinyurl.com/d24y5wx
Incidentally, its worth adding that a lot of modern cars will automatically unlock in the event of the airbag going off, so again this means that oldmanofmow's theory of the emergency services not being able to get to you doesn't hold true. There is also some evidence that locked doors are actually SAFER in a crash because the inertia can be enough to move the rod or springs inside the door and allow the door to fling open, locking the door eliminates this possibility.”
by Ron DePlume
Monday, September 03 2012, 12:58PM
“by oldmanofmowMonday, September 03 2012, 12:44PM
"I certainly would endorse Ron DePlume's recommendations regarding not keeping valuables insight and certainly not keeping things on the seats. However I would certainly not recommend driving in a locked car. In fact some cars won't allow it; some cars arm the alarm when the doors are locked, others activate the immobiliser. More important, In the event of an accident you are delaying people trying to exit the vehicle or others trying to get into the car to assist you.
Hope the lady concerned is recovering from her ordeal..."
A common misconception is that locking cars will delay emergency services - it wont. Many cars actually lock at 3mph automatically, its called an 'anti hijack' feature, I know of no vehicle that cannot be locked whilst moving so Id be very interested to see your evidence of that one.
The emergency servies have tools which can gain access to a locked car in seconds, aside from that does it not occur to you that in a RTA there is a more than decent change of the doors to a vehicle being damaged and unopeneable anyway?
And, just to prove my point once and for all, please do have a look around the internet where you will see advice from CrimeStoppers, The Police and various safety groups who encourage women to get in the car, LOCK THE DOOR and leave immediately.
http://tinyurl.com/cfynert”
by oldmanofmow
Monday, September 03 2012, 12:44PM
“I certainly would endorse Ron DePlume's recommendations regarding not keeping valuables insight and certainly not keeping things on the seats. However I would certainly not recommend driving in a locked car. In fact some cars won't allow it; some cars arm the alarm when the doors are locked, others activate the immobiliser. More important, In the event of an accident you are delaying people trying to exit the vehicle or others trying to get into the car to assist you.
Hope the lady concerned is recovering from her ordeal...”
by Ron DePlume
Monday, September 03 2012, 12:04PM
“Hope the lady involved is ok.
Can I just reiterate something that was drummed into me when I passed my test years ago:
Always LOCK YOUR DOORS!
Never leave anything on the passenger seat (Bags, phones, etc) that can be grabbed by putting the window through.
Get into the habit, get in the car, lock the doors. Make it as much of a routine as checking your mirrors before you pull off. Its something so very simple, yet could have saved this poor woman a lot of trouble.”