I got mugged for my watch in London!
Discussion
Firstly, glad you're ok OP.
You probably don't want to hear this, but in the interest of ongoing self-preservation, I suggest you have a look at the Grayson/Stein study and then the later Johnson study into how criminals select assault victims.
You undoubtedly weren't the only person in there wearing a decent watch - you were chosen for a reason. It's likely you give off nonverbal cues that you are an easier target.
Frightening stuff, but many mugging/assault victims are attacked more than once in their life, whilst the majority of people never are. When I was a student one of my housemates was mugged twice in a year - he was neither rich, nor did he go anywhere the rest of us didn't. He obviously looked an easy target.
Might be worth looking into to see whether there are any body language changes that might help you, OP.
You probably don't want to hear this, but in the interest of ongoing self-preservation, I suggest you have a look at the Grayson/Stein study and then the later Johnson study into how criminals select assault victims.
You undoubtedly weren't the only person in there wearing a decent watch - you were chosen for a reason. It's likely you give off nonverbal cues that you are an easier target.
Frightening stuff, but many mugging/assault victims are attacked more than once in their life, whilst the majority of people never are. When I was a student one of my housemates was mugged twice in a year - he was neither rich, nor did he go anywhere the rest of us didn't. He obviously looked an easy target.
Might be worth looking into to see whether there are any body language changes that might help you, OP.
It sounded as though it was relatively professional and well thought through. I doubt that it is their first attempt and their proficiency, and lack of real violence, made this a far less unpleasant-dangerous experience than otherwise it might have been. It could have been very different.
Im glad that youre alright Mike.
Im glad that youre alright Mike.
If you have expensive things, be careful who you tell about it, and where. I know a few people who’ve been very ‘social media vocal’ about stuff they’ve acquired, and then proceed to continually post about where they are, when they are there, and how much expensive stuff they have with them. It doesn’t take a genius to be able to build a profile up, and target them. Then, more often than not, they go on the same social media / interweb forums, telling everyone how they are mystified as to how it could have happened. Social media works on networks. You may well have absolutely no idea, who’s cottoned on to you, via ‘friends of friends of friends of friends’ and the like. There’s no need to be tin hat paranoid, but be aware of who you tell certain details, and of your surroundings, and you’ll minimise the risk. I’m glad you’re okay, I hope the people that did this get caught, and you get your stuff back.
bobo said:
I dont wear mine now ... they can have the swatch if they want it.
about time they built more jails and monetized the cheap labour that is prisoners.
on the face of it I do agree - however what happens to those people who work in the industries likely affected by this cheap labour (for example street cleaning, making a.n.other geegaw)?about time they built more jails and monetized the cheap labour that is prisoners.
Sorry to hear this, but glad you're OK. It being 4 of them they made sure you had no chance to resist or escape.
I also visit the watch rooms in Harrods and Selfridges when I'm in the area and in summer my watch is on display, though hopefully one that's not on a their radar. I'll be more vigilant in future.
I also visit the watch rooms in Harrods and Selfridges when I'm in the area and in summer my watch is on display, though hopefully one that's not on a their radar. I'll be more vigilant in future.
Very sorry to hear about the incident. Having been the victim of violent crime (slashed in the face) 20 years ago, I became very aware of my situation at all times.
What made it worse that it was in my own town where grew up, at the time I lived just outside a major uk city
I am not a small bloke...6’2”, 19st and practice karate, would I fight 4 lads over a watch ....nope.
What made it worse that it was in my own town where grew up, at the time I lived just outside a major uk city
I am not a small bloke...6’2”, 19st and practice karate, would I fight 4 lads over a watch ....nope.
Mike
I am very sorry to hear of your ordeal, how awful.
This sounds like a professional hit to me also...you were probably marked and followed at anyone of those locations...though I suspect the restaurant... that’s quite a remarkable watch you were wearing..
Having been the victim of the same crime but less violently I know how you feel.
The main thing is that you are physically ok...
Try and have a good Christmas...
A
I am very sorry to hear of your ordeal, how awful.
This sounds like a professional hit to me also...you were probably marked and followed at anyone of those locations...though I suspect the restaurant... that’s quite a remarkable watch you were wearing..
Having been the victim of the same crime but less violently I know how you feel.
The main thing is that you are physically ok...
Try and have a good Christmas...
A
So said:
You make an interesting statement.
Well, what does a Rolex or other fancy brand offer you over what a Fitbit or even a £20 Casio would do? Yes I know you can apply it’s a nicer product here, but people don’t get mugged for their barbor jacket or M&S food shop anywhere near as much as they do for a expensive flashy watch which I assume is only worn to display wealth and most likely one upmanship on your fellow stock broker. Watches are easily stolen and I assume since it happens so much easily moved on.
Many years ago. a friend of mine told me this tale.
Back in the day, he was quite a character, a bit of a face down Bethnal Green, not a crook but knew everyone, worked round the corner from the Krays, knew Voilet etc etc
He always wore a Rolex, drove an E type in the eary 60's,
Anyway one day, he'd been to the health club for a swim, and as he was coming out, some fella said " Got the time, Guv?"
"yeah" he said "it's whatever o'clock".
As he walked back to his car, he heard footsteps running behind and he turned and shouted at them
"Don't you C****s know a moody Rolex when you see one"
"Oh sorry Guv" and off they went
As I said, quite a character
Back in the day, he was quite a character, a bit of a face down Bethnal Green, not a crook but knew everyone, worked round the corner from the Krays, knew Voilet etc etc
He always wore a Rolex, drove an E type in the eary 60's,
Anyway one day, he'd been to the health club for a swim, and as he was coming out, some fella said " Got the time, Guv?"
"yeah" he said "it's whatever o'clock".
As he walked back to his car, he heard footsteps running behind and he turned and shouted at them
"Don't you C****s know a moody Rolex when you see one"
"Oh sorry Guv" and off they went
As I said, quite a character
Nickbrapp said:
Well, what does a Rolex or other fancy brand offer you over what a Fitbit or even a £20 Casio would do? Yes I know you can apply it’s a nicer product here, but people don’t get mugged for their barbor jacket or M&S food shop anywhere near as much as they do for a expensive flashy watch which I assume is only worn to display wealth and most likely one upmanship on your fellow stock broker.
Interesting points. In terms of telling the time, nothing. In fact, a Casio is probably better at that business. Furthermore, it seems to me that Rolexes are rather more prolific than Casios.For some reason, a great many people seem to insist upon conning themselves and exposing themselves to the risk of being mugged.
hyphen said:
irocfan said:
colin_p said:
Could have quite easily ended up being much worse.
I'm glad you are ok.
This ^^^I'm glad you are ok.
Would they have 'marked' you in Selfridges though? That place will be full of CCTV that could identify them. Probably wrong place, wrong time.
Well dressed guy (I’m assuming).
Well dressed friends.
Expensive area of London.
Visits expensive shops.
Now alone.
I wear my nice watch almost everywhere I go, but I never take it anywhere near London, or Ipswich.
I’m 6ft 4, over 16st, and generally wear an angry face, but I still wouldn’t put myself in the above situation that the OP was in.
Well dressed friends.
Expensive area of London.
Visits expensive shops.
Now alone.
I wear my nice watch almost everywhere I go, but I never take it anywhere near London, or Ipswich.
I’m 6ft 4, over 16st, and generally wear an angry face, but I still wouldn’t put myself in the above situation that the OP was in.
So said:
Nickbrapp said:
Well, what does a Rolex or other fancy brand offer you over what a Fitbit or even a £20 Casio would do? Yes I know you can apply it’s a nicer product here, but people don’t get mugged for their barbor jacket or M&S food shop anywhere near as much as they do for a expensive flashy watch which I assume is only worn to display wealth and most likely one upmanship on your fellow stock broker.
Interesting points. In terms of telling the time, nothing. In fact, a Casio is probably better at that business. Furthermore, it seems to me that Rolexes are rather more prolific than Casios.For some reason, a great many people seem to insist upon conning themselves and exposing themselves to the risk of being mugged.
Nickbrapp said:
Sorry to hear that
Only makes me think more how pointless expensive watches are.
The Police officers taking my statement after the mugging said they are inundated by mobile phone muggings, and you can buy one of them for under a tenner. Only makes me think more how pointless expensive watches are.
Unfortunately my watch was identifiable as an expensive piece, and I foolishly thought it was tucked well out of view under my jacket cuff, but the thieves knew exactly what they were going for. And I wasn't particularly smartly turned out: old black Barbour jacket, M&S jeans, blue Karrimor yomping trainers.
You said 1 guy went for watch and two rifled throygj your pockets.
If they were after watch as 1st priority, wouldn't they have two on your arm?
Sounds like even if they were after watch they didn't know the model and its value, just that it was worth a few quid.
If they were after watch as 1st priority, wouldn't they have two on your arm?
Sounds like even if they were after watch they didn't know the model and its value, just that it was worth a few quid.
Edited by hyphen on Monday 16th December 13:00
Sorry to hear that.
I lost a Planet Ocean and an iPhone to 1 or 2 muggers in Brussels 2 weeks back. I was fortunate enough to be well oiled at the time so details are hazy at best but I got bruised ribs, a sprained shoulder and some cuts and bruises on my left hand where I tried to grip the watch as they removed it.
In retrospect, I must have looked a right target. I was probably visibly drunk. Walking down tiny dark alley-like roads following google maps on my phone at 2AM. I only had 500m to go from venue to hotel but that was plenty of time to be jumped. Whether or not they marked me prior, I have no idea. I'd been wearing a baggy hoodie all night and the watch was never on show. I suspect they were going for the phone and got lucky with the watch.
I lost a Planet Ocean and an iPhone to 1 or 2 muggers in Brussels 2 weeks back. I was fortunate enough to be well oiled at the time so details are hazy at best but I got bruised ribs, a sprained shoulder and some cuts and bruises on my left hand where I tried to grip the watch as they removed it.
In retrospect, I must have looked a right target. I was probably visibly drunk. Walking down tiny dark alley-like roads following google maps on my phone at 2AM. I only had 500m to go from venue to hotel but that was plenty of time to be jumped. Whether or not they marked me prior, I have no idea. I'd been wearing a baggy hoodie all night and the watch was never on show. I suspect they were going for the phone and got lucky with the watch.
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