Daylight mugging

I know there is crime in every big city and London is no exception. Having visited London for over 20 years now I've been lucky enough to not experience any myself, but most everybody I know in London has at one time or another been mugged, attacked or similar. That unfortunately comes with living in a big city.

Being a bit naïve I never thought I would witness it in broad daylight though. Walking back to Waterloo Station from the Imperial War Museum last Sunday a man at the same age as me is walked about 100-150 meters ahead of me on Baylis Road. Having just passed Lambeth North Tube station there is people around, but it being Sunday afternoon the street is rather quite.

Suddenly I see how three hooligans dressed in t-shirts, jeans, boots with blond and shaved heads walk up to him. First I thought they knew him or something, but then I see them starting to pick a fight and I hear him say no very loudly. I continue to walk for a second or two not realising what I'm seeing until I see how one of the hooligans hit the man at the same time as the other two pushes him into the bushes. I then cross the street not sure what to do other then just trying to stay away. Should I just walk away? Should I pretend like I didn't see anything? Should I start to shout and call for attention? At first I keep walking on the other side of the road, but when I keep hearing the man shouting no, no I stop by a bus shed.

Another man who walked behind me now realise what is going on and start shouting as he runs towards the gang. They see him coming and two of them start running after him instead. Standing there in the bus shed I just felt "Oh, my God I hope didn't see me" and I turned around and walked quickly in the other direction. Totally the opposite direction of Waterloo Station.

Probably for five minutes or so I keep looking over my shoulder to see who's behind me, but of course they are long gone and I don't think they every noticed me. Thankfully I have a good sense of directions so I found my way back to Waterloo Station without any problems, but I don't think I let out a sigh of relief until the train was back on the other side of the river.

I haven't really thought about it until I told a friend and her comment was “That could have been you.” And, yes it could. I have never been afraid walking by myself whether it's in London, Paris, New York or here at home, but I'm cautious like any woman would be, especially if it's dark. I will probably a bit more cautious after this, but not afraid because then the bad guys have won.