Detectives have released an image of a man wanted in connection with an attempted robbery and grievous bodily harm (GBH) incident that occurred in the High Street North area on Sunday, 23 April. The police are appealing to the public for any information that may help in identifying the suspect.
The harrowing incident unfolded when a 13-year-old boy was walking through a car park area near Primark on Sunday evening. He was confronted by a lone male who proceeded to threaten him and demand money. The situation escalated when the boy’s mother, a woman in her 30s, spotted the confrontation and rushed to intervene, pulling her son away from the suspect.
Shortly after, at approximately 19.24 the mother and son returned to the same area. To their horror, they encountered the suspect once again. The woman bravely approached the individual in an attempt to address the situation, but her courageous act took a dangerous turn when the suspect brandished a knife and began waving it menacingly. During the altercation, the woman sustained a cut just above her ear before the assailant made his escape in the direction of Kempton Road.
As a crowd of concerned onlookers gathered, the police were notified, and an extensive area search was conducted. However, the suspect managed to evade capture, leaving authorities with an urgent need for the public’s assistance.
Detective Constable Sam Drury, who is leading the investigation, emphasised the severity of the incident and urged the community to come forward with any information they might have about the suspect. “This was a horrible attack on a woman and her son, and it is vital that we track this man down,” said DC Drury.
The woman was promptly taken to the hospital for treatment of her injury, while her son, thankfully, did not suffer any physical harm. Nonetheless, the traumatic experience left the young boy understandably shaken.
In their pursuit of justice, detectives have released an image of the suspect and are urging individuals to share it within local community groups and forums. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be crucial in identifying the wanted individual and ensuring he is brought to justice.
Anyone who recognises the man in the image or has any relevant information is urged to contact the police immediately by calling 101 or tweeting @MetCC, quoting CAD reference 5764/23APR23. For those who wish to remain anonymous, they can reach out to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
