There has been a rise in robberies in Little Ilford with many cases including unattended items being stolen in the blink of an eye. There have been two such cases this month; a man named Justin had his bike taken after he left it outside, on the driveway of a house that belonged to a person he was visiting and another of a walking frame that was left aside for a minute while a woman was out in the neighbouring park.
Justin explains,” I left the bike for a few minutes or less outside the house while I quickly ran some errands in my friend’s house and the next thing I know, when I went to get it, it was gone. Someone literally went all the way to the front door, where my bike was placed near and took it from under my nose! I can’t believe It! I should’ve used a lock but I didn’t think anyone would try to steal it. My bike made travelling to work a lot easier and without it I have to go by bus, which will take me longer. I don’t want to be late to work because of this.”
The woman, who doesn’t want to be publicly named says,” I was at the park one day and I had a walking frame with me and a wheelchair. I was enjoying the scenery and forgot about my walking frame for a moment as I moved a bit and it was at a distance from me. Sadly, someone had the audacity to take the walking frame! Why would anyone do that? I’m just really lucky that I had a spare one at home and a wheelchair. I don’t know how I would’ve made it home without it! It sickens me to think of the lengths a person would go to... Stealing a disabled person's walking frame is just sick. I will not be taking this matter to the police, however, as what’s done is done and I should’ve been more attentive to my belongings.”
Both these cases have a similarity; these people both left their belongings unattended, even if it was for a short while and they thought no one would steal it. This shows us that we need to watch over our belongings diligently, even if it seems unlikely to be stolen.
