Never the victim ??

[rictus01]

Excuess the intrusion, I don't come in here often.

So the question, do you consider yourself a victim?

I never have done before, sure I've had a moped nicked from me, and the odd thing pinched from a locker, that sort of thing, but always felt I was capable of of generally looking after myself.

It would seem that's no longer the case, I was walking through a local park taking a few photos as I occasionally do, when I was hit in the back of the bad knee and of course crumpled to the floor, I recieved a kick in the side for good measure, but to be honest the pain of the knee blotted out everything else, at that moment I was completely helpless.

I lifted my head to see three teenagers running away with my tankbag.

I can only imagine they had watched me, and seeing I walked with a stick thought (rightly it seems) I was a soft target.

I'm fairly sure it was opportunistic as they left my camera and just grabbed the bag and ran, (funnily enough the bag was empty apart from a lens cap).

Police? what's the point all I could tell them was three teenagers in jeeans and hoodies, not exactly a photo fit is it ?

Although the knee is painful I don't think anything is broken beyond what was already, took me a good half an hour to get back to the bike a little mud splattered but otherwise OK.

I guess I need to think more carefully what and where I du stuff now :smt102

Cheers Mark.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Oh god, that's not good. Sorry to hear that.

[DarrenSV650S]

Excuess the intrusion, I don't come in here often.

So the question, do you consider yourself a victim?

I never have done before, sure I've had a moped nicked from me, and the odd thing pinched from a locker, that sort of thing, but always felt I was capable of of generally looking after myself.

It would seem that's no longer the case, I was walking through a local park taking a few photos as I occasionally do, when I was hit in the back of the bad knee and of course crumpled to the floor, I recieved a kick in the side for good measure, but to be honest the pain of the knee blotted out everything else, at that moment I was completely helpless.

I lifted my head to see three teenagers running away with my tankbag.

I can only imagine they had watched me, and seeing I walked with a stick thought (rightly it seems) I was a soft target.

I'm fairly sure it was opportunistic as they left my camera and just grabbed the bag and ran, (funnily enough the bag was empty apart from a lens cap).

Police? what's the point all I could tell them was three teenagers in jeeans and hoodies, not exactly a photo fit is it ?

Although the knee is painful I don't think anything is broken beyond what was already, took me a good half an hour to get back to the bike a little mud splattered but otherwise OK.

I guess I need to think more carefully what and where I du stuff now :smt102

Cheers Mark.
:(

or move to somewhere nicer. Hope your knee isn't too bad

[Spiderman]

Oh jeezuz Mark, i'm fuming to hear this. :evil:

When did this happen mate? today?

Sad symptom of our society that a-holes like them only prey on the weakest looking and least likely to give them a good hiding.
Oh how i wished i'd been there mate

Abd sadly you're right about the cops but do consider it this way, if you do call them they may be spotted on CCTV locally and already be known to cops who will be able to deal with it. You know that incident i had recently, well thats how they caught up with that group of kids, local CCTV. Its worth considering just letting them know mate.

[rictus01]

:(

or move to somewhere nicer. Hope your knee isn't too bad

been going to that park for close on 20 years, but then never been a cripple before , I guess as I said, I'm now a easy target, just sort of brought home to me what that can mean, it's not a nice feeling I can assure you.

Painkillers kicking in just now so at least that's a good thing.
Cheers Mark.

[Philbo]

Booo!

Wrong place, wrong time. There's not many folk would be left standing when some cowardly wee trio of scumbags assault you from behind, excuse the expression!

Does remind of a slighty happier story though. A bloke from my old Judo club, (going back a bit here), was walking through a local park and was accosted by some neds who thought we would make a soft target for a random assault. He was partially sighted, average build, on his own, and "albino". Needless to say he knocked the c**p out them! Well, he was a black belt!

[TazDaz]

Sorry to hear about the incident. Hope it hasn't aggrevated the knee too much to cause major issues.

To answer your question, I've never really considered myself as being a victim, but that's probably because so far in my life I haven't had anything robbed, or been properly beaten up (few drunken scuffles in town, but luckily been the victor).

It's sort of a two sided issue I reckon. If you have to change your way of life to avoid becoming a victim, then straight away that has made you into the victim of this "new" society, as some papers like to call it.

[davepreston]

mate i feel for you ,unfortunatly we live in a world where is is common place,
the reason i say this is you are not an easy target nor a likely victim ,
truth is wrong place wrong time if not you, someone else would have had this scum doing the same thing to them,
by the sounds of it they did actually concider you some threat as they just bolted instead of thrying to harass you for more kit,
again sorry to hear this happened to a top man like you ,lets just nope karma does what it does best
all the best
dave

[CoolGirl]

Mark, that's shocking - sending you a hot water bottle and a hug.
I've noticed it myself though. Being disabled makes you more vulnerable and a target for, at the very least inconsiderate behaviour, and at worst being taken advangtge of.

[metalangel]

Best wishes, man. I think people who just go around assaulting passersby like this because they're bored or opportunistic thieves should just be given the chair.

[rictus01]

Mark, that's shocking - sending you a hot water bottle and a hug.
I've noticed it myself though. Being disabled makes you more vulnerable and a target for, at the very least inconsiderate behaviour, and at worst being taken advangtge of.

thanks Deb, yeah I've had the inconsiderate bit already, but I was remembering back (OK a fair way, but still) to a PTI on my per-para, "you're a mean killing machine", Oh how the mighty have fallen.......:smt086

[Stu]

I'm completely shocked that they do stoop so low as to pick on someone they think is a cripple.
How naive of me.
Really sorry to hear this Mark. Can only hope this doesn't leave too much of a lasting effect on you.

But I must say, please report to the Police, however, pointless or painful you thhink it might be, it's the only defence we have.

[Spiderman]

Dont let it get to you Mark, that way they not only stole your gear but beat you mentally too.
You know this.
I know its hard right now tho.

[rictus01]

I I'm OK at the moment, the world is seem through a filter of painkilers so it almost seams unreal at present, just waht I need.

[CheGuevara]

Some years ago (back in Canada) I was walking home from the pub (a bit buzzed but not trashed) and I was attacked from behind by a group of about 10 youths. The first hit was with something solid (pipe? skateboard?) as it broke my jaw and split my wisdom tooth in half. I saw some stars and dropped to my knees and was then subjected to numerous kicks and punches to the head; jaw broken in 2 places (now have a plate and screws), cracked orbital socket, and almost lost an ear (swelling cut off the circulation and it turned black). I never lost conciousness but the event is (fortunately?) a bit hazy due to the blows to the head. I spent nearly a week in hospital, and a couple weeks recovering at home before I could return to work.

Now I'm a pretty big boy - about 6'4", 225lbs (bit more than that now) and was in very good shape at the time. Speaking to the police afterwards they said I was likely attacked because of my size - that these kids figured they'd boost their egos/rep by claiming they kicked the crap out of a big guy even if it was 10:1 and a suprise attack with a weapon.

So "crippled" or strong and able, there's always some idiot(s) who will look to take advantage of an opportunity.

Best thing to do is just be alert (but not afraid) about who's around you. Odds are pretty good that these kids would not have bothered if you had spotted them coming. And if you know you can't avoid the attack/fight; hit first, hit hard, and hit the ringleader if there's more than one -if he backs down then likely the others will too. (Not advocating violence, but self-defence has it's place and time).

Edit - forgot to mention, hope you heal up soon!

[Fizzy Fish]

Jeez Mark, that's terrible! I really can't believe what some people will stoop to...Sending maximum hugs your way!

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:


Remember that we are all vulnerable to some extent - that 'killing machine' could have still been a target for a group of thugs.

Don't stop doing what you love doing... (but maybe keep more of an eye out in future)

[Fizzy Fish]

Remember that we are all vulnerable to some extent - that 'killing machine' could have still been a target for a group of thugs.



...As CheGuevara has just proved!

[anna]

:grouphug:

[malks]

that sounds dreadful. hope you mend soon.

the hardest thing to get your head round in this situation is that you done nothing wrong and couldnt really have done anything to change the situation. these type of people would have done this regardless and even more worryingly will no doubt do it again!

just keep the wits about you, but dont change your life over what happened, no point ruining your life over things you cant control.

[Ed]

Mark, it's ten times work to pick on someone with a disability. I'd report to the police, if only so they can watch out for a gang in the same area.

I hope that they haven't damaged your knee.

Man hug.

Ed

[Lozzo]

Hanging's too good for them.

Hope the pain recedes soon, Mark - I feel for you mate.

[Alpinestarhero]

Mark, sorry to read this. Its terrible :(

I worry about going out taking photo's on my own, I often wait till me and maria can go together, so she can watch my back. Did you contact the police at all? The same kids might get pulled up later anyway, and they might find your tankbag and the contents with them

Did you loose much stuff?

[Jabba]

Did you loose much stuff?

A more-or-less empty tank bag he said. Doubt he'd have even mentioned it if they'd knicked a top box ;-)

Hey Mark, as others have said, wrong time and wrong place. You know what Hovis would have said.... 'king unluckee.

Feel bad for you. GWS and yeah, report it to the coppers as you could save someone else from experiencing the same thing.

[Bluefish]

****ing chav scum, hope you feel better soon mate. yes talk to the police, you never know.
guess we all just need to be aware of our surroundings at all times. get well soon, andy.

[Messie]

I'm so sorry to hear this Mark and I can't add much to what has already been said.

Do report it to the police though; it may not mean much on it's own but it may be part of a larger picture and the police mat need it as a pice of the jigsaw. Say they find your tankbag in the home of one of the scumbags when they're looking for another crime?

Anyway hun, gentle hugs. And hang on to your inner strength xxx

[Kinvig]

Sh!t! Really sorry to hear this.

[Biker Biggles]

**** stuff.Do report it though as it stops the police and politicians pretending they have solved the age old problem of crime.No reports = no crime.

[timwilky]

Mark

I am guessing your self esteem is through the floor right now, you go through life assuming you are invincible and suddenly some low life just has to prove you are no longer 20 years old and capable of defending yourself etc.

Personally I would report it. if only to highlight crime in the area and hopefully they stop anyone else becoming a victim

[Dave20046]

Scum, sorry to hear it - hope your ok.

[Richie]

Sorry to hear of your news Mark, must have been a frightning moment. At least your still in one piece thank goodness, Could have been alot worse, You hear about this sort of thing now far too oftern. It sickens me.

Hope you mend up soon Pal.

[Lissa]

Really sorry to hear about this, Mark. :(

I hope your knee hasn't been damaged further by those cowardly thugs, and that it doesn't set you back too much.

As for being a victim, I don't think anyone can be safe beyond all doubt these days.

[thulfi]

What a load of shi*te...damn teenagers.

Hope you're alright, and mend real soon mate. Don't let it get to you. There were three of 'em, so bad knee or not, you were outnumbered!

Just wondering, where abouts in South London are you from, and what park did this happen at?

[TheOnlyNemesis]

on behalf of us young ones everywhere, please don't paint us all with the same brush, i not into the chav thing but i do wear hoodies with bands on and yes the hood is up if it is cold and it saddens me when i see people cross the road etc because of it.

[beabert]

on behalf of us young ones everywhere, please don't paint us all with the same brush, i not into the chav thing but i do wear hoodies with bands on and yes the hood is up if it is cold and it saddens me when i see people cross the road etc because of it.
__________________

Thats why i stopped wearing them, id rather where something else than have people cross the road to avoid me. Besides i looked like a kid wearing it anyway lol.

[TheOnlyNemesis]

Thats why i stopped wearing them, id rather where something else than have people cross the road to avoid me. Besides i looked like a kid wearing it anyway lol.

i don't wear them often, they mess up my lovely long locks, i mainly wear my trench coat, people seem less afraid of it, they know us goths are nice folk.

[ArtyLady]

So sorry to hear this Mark, hope you feel better soon -sadly seems to be a sign of the times these days :( <<<hugs>>>

[thulfi]

Yeh if its raining or cold I put the 'ol' hoody up if I'm wearing it.

Its the ones that have their hoods up when its not soo cold that you gotta be weary off...and the ones that just look mashed up and are walking a dog that looks even more mashed up than themselves!

[Dave20046]

and the ones that just look mashed up and are walking a dog that looks even more mashed up than themselves!
chav birds never look good:salut:

[metalmonkey]

Sorry to hear about this Mark, I can't add to what the gang have said. But do report it, you never know even the smallest amount of infomation can be break a case.

On wearing hoodies I do wear them, but why should a minority prevent me from doing so? Also they are great over leathers on cool evenings.

[Sudoxe]

ouch! Sorry to hear that Mark. :(

I hope they catch the bast**ds, but I doubt they will.

Dan

[matt_rehm_hext]

****ing *******s. Absolute ******s. (yep I know there are going to be a lot of *'s cos of the filter lol)

I'm really sorry this has happened, I hope it doesn't affect the injury long term.

I'm sick of SCUM idiots doing stuff like this, and I personally would try anything to get revenge to prove a point. I'm sure lots of people would disagree with that but hey. Completely unprovoked attacks and bs like this ****es me off.

[rictus01]

well it's been reported, but as I already know there isn't any CCTV around there and my description wasn't exactly complete, but in fairness I was in a world of pain and on the deck at the time.

I now have an incident number, but although the copper was polite enough, I couldn't help feeling the apathy behind the whole thing, still undoubtabily the victims support letter will make everything wonderful......Err yeah.

Cheers Mark.

[hindle8907]

sorry to here this dude ....
Little Tw4t's ..... they need to shooting.

[GeneticBubble]

What has happened with my generation? im almost 19 and even in my younger more rebelious days i would never of dreamed of doing such a thing :smt011

sorry to hear this happened to you buddy.

[rictus01]

on behalf of us young ones everywhere, please don't paint us all with the same brush, i not into the chav thing but i do wear hoodies with bands on and yes the hood is up if it is cold and it saddens me when i see people cross the road etc because of it.

I don't have any problem with their wardrobe, their behaviour on the otherhand.......

[Dave20046]

Did the rozzers mention any similar attacks/acts of twáttery rictus?

[rictus01]

Did the rozzers mention any similar attacks/acts of twáttery rictus?

Nope, but although he didn't say it, you got the impression from his tone " these things happen" Polite enough mind just not very encouraging.

[thulfi]

Which park did this happen in?

[Dave20046]

Nope, but although he didn't say it, you got the impression from his tone " these things happen" Polite enough mind just not very encouraging.
well they ferkin shouldn't happen should they.

... the temptation to loiter round the park with crutches:rambo:

[thedonal]

Jeez- I don't know what to say. Sorry to hear about this.

It makes my blood boil and wish I was there to floor the little c***s, but that's no help really.

Hope your knee recovers well.

[rictus01]

Which park did this happen in?

South Norwood country park, basically open ground and a small lake/pond thing, but the hedge rows are 6 foot or so on one side.

[rictus01]

Hope your knee recovers well.

well fortunately the bone is held together with so much metalwork it's probably the strongest part of me, hurts like hell, but I'd say it's stronger than bone alone, not sure on the donor ligaments though.

[Sally]

Bah scum.
Agree with the other guys, what the f*** has happened to our generation?

Sorry to hear this Mark, hope things get better soon.

David.

[ArtyLady]

Nope, but although he didn't say it, you got the impression from his tone " these things happen" Polite enough mind just not very encouraging.

Seems they are so used to it they are blasé about it :(

[Milky Bar Kid]

Sometimes what comes across as us being blase can be just that we feel like our hands are tied.

I try not to come across that way to people reporting crimes because even if I have seen it a million times, to the person infront of me, it's probably a huge deal, and the possibly the only time they will ever have had to report a crime. I will however, be straight with the person reporting if I think I will manage to get anyone as a result of the enquiry or not.

This whole thing is really sickening. Being only 22, I also feel ashamed of my generation. It is a disgrace. Unfortunately, the minority show us all up. Recently I was seconded to a plain clothes unit. I had on a pair of jeans, helly hansen jacket and hoody underneath my jacket. The jacket didnt have a hood and it was raiing so I pulled my jumpers hood out through and had it up.

I was doing door to door enquiries, the looks and hostility I got when people opened the door really shocked me. Even when I showed one woman my warrant card she didn't believe me, I had to produce my notebook and my radio as further proof. I was quite saddened by it but I totally understand why she felt that way.

Mark, I hope you are feeling a bit better about it all. Horrible experience for you to go through but like others said earlier, please don't let it get you down. You are not weak. It could happen to anyone of us, you have no defence from behind. *hugs*

[JediGoat]

Only just seen this Mark - am sending you a big virtual hug.

Take it easy.

[barwel1992]

ohh balls!!!! :(

absolute scum, need there heads kicking in the lot of them (taste of there own medicine) and i am to ashamed of my own generation.

hope you get well soon :)

PS you dont need to answer my question about ure tank bag in the duke review thread :)

[BanannaMan]

Sorry to hear...

Hit you in the bad knee and run....that's about as low as you can get. :mad:
Cowardly scum.

[SoulKiss]

Cant add anything that hasn't already been said Mark.

It's nothing to do with the leg, I got attacked by 3 guys in the street outside my house (you know where I am talking about).

Fortunatley they didnt hit me hard enough (I had already gone on the offensive as they had telegraphed (and emailed and texted) their intentions verbally before it kicked off.

So all I can say is that I hope the pain goes soon.

Oh and dont go watching Harry Brown...

[falc]

Bloody hell, sorry to hear this Mark.

Absolute f******, hope the Knee heals or at least gets better and glad they didn't get away with anything more.

:(

[DanAbnormal]

Sorry to hear this Mark. This is exactly why I beleive in street justice, they deserve a good hiding.

[Grinch]

Sorry to hear this Mark, I will chose not to express my feelings about those 'people' but I'm sure you can guess.

[Tara]

sorry to hear about this Mark

[Sosha]

Sorry to hear Mark. Only possible bit of satisfaction is they got F.A.

Hope you feel better soon.

[stewie]

Wow, just seen this Mark, really sorry mate, chin up though

[Littlepeahead]

Hey Mark, poor you. When I am on holiday with my camera bag I chuck a rape alarm in there and attach the cord to my coat. That way if they run off with the bag it will be wailing at a million decibels and hopefully they would just drop it rather than attract attention. I know this time they didn't get your camera, but might be worth investing in one as I know what great gear you have there.

http://attack-alarms-online.co.uk/personal-attack-alarms/minder-personal-attack-alarm-with-torch.html

[noob-saibot]

Hey Mark, poor you. When I am on holiday with my camera bag I chuck a rape alarm in there and attach the cord to my coat. That way if they run off with the bag it will be wailing at a million decibels and hopefully they would just drop it rather than attract attention. I know this time they didn't get your camera, but might be worth investing in one as I know what great gear you have there.

http://attack-alarms-online.co.uk/personal-attack-alarms/minder-personal-attack-alarm-with-torch.html

That thing could be very handy as a rudimentary bike alarm if they get past your other bits. You could hide the unit somewhere in the front fairing and attach the cable clip to a disk which would pull out when the bike is rolled. Hmm..

Sorry to hear of the attack :smt011 A lad over here on one of the forums got his bike nicked outside a tescos recently. He naively chased the large group of young lads around the corner into complex, where as you can imagine, they promptly beat seven shades of **** out of him and walked away scott free.

[rictus01]

hurting a bit today, but that's always the way with these things, can't take a deep breath, shoulder playing up and the knee is next to useless, I'm hoping to be mobile again in a while, just need to take a bit of time for now, still plenty of painkillers and scotch, so not all bad.

Cheers Mark.

[Messie]

Yay for self medication.

Hope you can still make it on saturday Mark

[rictus01]

well original plan is out, I'll give it as long as I can and hopefully be able to get the brace on and use the bike, but have to see, got a bit of a heamatoma preventing me at present.

Cheers Mark.

[barwel1992]

just a quick thorght, not that you would be able to atm but maybe some one else could have a look in the direction they ran off in as they more than likley just dumped ure tank bag as soon as they saw nothing in it

obvously these are the least off your wories at the moment but atleast you would have the satisfaction that they got absolutely nothing out of it?

and sounds like theres a bit more damage than you thorght ? or is the sholder just another one of your bike injuries

[Cazza]

Hi Mark, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I had no idea it had happened until I was told a few hours ago. :(

I hope you feel better very soon and that it doesn't knock your confidence too much. Big hugs. x x x