Just Had A Horrible Experience...

[Smowball]

Walked up to our nearest shops to get a few things. I was in the last shop and was only one in there, when this gang of boys came in and started running round causing chaos, grabbing things off shelves etc, laughing and finding whole thing hilarious. One assistant managed to shoo them out and when I got to till the quiet shopkeeper said they were local travellers and they are constantly running in and nicking things when it’s quiet. So anyway I get outside and they are about 50 metres ahead doing exactly the same thing to another shop. Feeling wary I held back but at some point I had to move and even tho they were doing this act along the whole street I ended up level with them. Somehow the tallest one recognised me and said you were in the top shop weren’t you! Yes I said, I saw you. And with that he ordered this Alsatian who had suddenly appeared with them to attack me. The dog leaps for me barking and snarling , all the time the boys were in hysterics. Thank god the dog didn’t go any further but it absolutely terrified me, and with that they all ran off , with the dog. Very shook up I walked home which is where I am now.
What the hell is wrong with some kids!??

[Patsy33]

Oh Smow, how terrifying for you!
Not sure if the Police will do much, but good luck with that.

[Smowball]

The youngest couldn’t have been more than 7 and the oldest about 12.

[TonyV]

Smow that sounds awfull, but at least you are OK, even if a bit shaken. I would report it to Police. Do any of the shops have CCTV? Do the local shopkeepers just put up with it and increase overall prices to cover losses that we all have to pay for?

[Smowball]

I don’t actually know how long this has been go long on for. I’ve never seen it before. Am going to pop back tomorrow to the shop I was in and ask the shopkeeper x

[anneasquith]

I assume you called the police immediately you got home smow. Remember the shops and the streets will have cctv .

[Musictv2019]

The same thing happened to a few shops in my home town young ones went in and threw things all around the shops.

[tiggerblue10]

I've witnessed similar intimidating behaviour, not uncommon in Croydon.

[Smowball]

Yes I’ve rang police. They were very nice actually. Took a lot of details and are getting someone to call me back tomorrow. I know it’s not a priority,

[tiggerblue10]

Thats good. I hope everything has been caught on cctv.

[TonyV]

Good, well done Smow, although it's maybe not a Police priority, it's well worth reporting, shopkeepers should aswell, otherwise it will continue unheeded. Xx