Moment passersby fail to cease and assist aged man being robbed ‘at knifepoint’ by hooded gang
This is the moment passersby appear to stroll on rather than help an elderly man being robbed at knifepoint by hooded thugs.
CCTV which captured the attack shows the victim walking along Beaconsfield Road, in Southall, west London.
In the clip, a hooded male walks closely in front of him, whilst another lurks behind. The man is then grabbed around the neck and roughly shoved against a wall.
One of the gang then manhandles the pensioner onto a parked car while brandishing a large blade that glints in the grainy footage.
Two pedestrians approach the struggling pair from behind, and seem to make no effort to intervene in the attack.
One squeezes past on the pavement, mere inches from the man under attack, whilst the other skirts around on the road.
The hooded figure continues to rifle violently through the man’s jacket and pockets.
At least one other pedestrian walks along the pavement on the other side of the street, but also fails to offer any assistance.
An elderly man, pictured left, was walking along a residential street when he was grabbed by a hooded man from behind
The assailant grabbed the man by the neck on Beaconsfield Road in Southall and shoved him against a parked car
CCTV footage shows the attacker brandishing a large blade, as two pedestrians approach from behind
The two pedestrians split and appear to walk on by on either side of the struggling pair without intervening
The Metropolitan Police told the Mail: ‘Police have been investigating an allegation of robbery on Beaconsfield Road, Southall, on Friday, 16 January, which was reported by a third party.
‘We have not been able to identify the victim and would urge him to get in touch with officers. No arrests have been made.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting CAD 8737/16JAN26, or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.’
Meanwhile, local residents of the suburban London neighbourhood were furious after passersby ignored the man and failed to intervene.
One person said: ‘It is very sad to see. But even worse were the people that actually watched as they walked by.
‘I know people are worried about repercussions, but surely it is your instinct to do at least something?’
Another added: ‘May be they got the courage and confidence to do so because they learnt that people will just pass by the side?’
Others agreed ‘this is horrible and sad to see happening’ while a fourth person said: ‘This is awful.’
