A Finsbury Park shopkeeper who was attacked and repeatedly robbed by a gang of youths has accused the police of lack of sympathy. Mohammed Haq, owner of Euro News on Crouch Hill, says he has been victim to seven separate snatch-and-grab attacks by members of the same gang since he took over management of the shop at the end of November.
On one occasion, on 23 January, the youths attacked Mr Haq as he tried to stop them. Images on the store CCTV show a gang member throwing bottles he had just stolen at two of the shop staff, before hitting Mr Haq twice in the face.
Just days before, on 20 January, the same youths came into the shop and tried to force open the till.
Mr Haq says he has repeatedly reported the incident to the police, but the only response has been incident confirmations.
“The police have seen the CCTV and one of the safer neighbourhoods team officers said he knew one of the kids,” he said. “But the letters they send still say they they can’t arrest anyone on that evidence.
“When I see the safer neighbourhoods team, they caution me to be vigilant, but then they don’t return my calls when I report an incident. I feel helpless.”
