Forum Topic

Beware of Pickpockets - The Oaks in Acton

Beward when in 'The Oaks' if asked for directions or for change of a £20 note - just heard from a friend that whist one person distracts you the other person is stealing from you!I guess this is happening all over but just be aware to be on the safe side!

Jean F Fernandez ● 6349d23 Comments

Has she reported it to the police? if not she should before it happens to someone else.

Phil Roberts ● 6349d

I believe it was reported to the Police and also to the Security people at 'The Oaks'.

Jean F Fernandez ● 6348d

description please of the people doing this

Dee Cook ● 6348d

All the info I have from the lady's husband is that it was a woman and a man 'of Eastern European' description.Whe he contacts us again I ask ask for more information.Just be on the lookout and aware if people approach asking to change a £20 note or asking for directions. They may be totally genuine but you never know.

Jean F Fernandez ● 6348d

I'm not sure if this was an attempt to pick my pocket but last week when I was standing in front of the butchers at Hakikat a 60ish lady with dark hair patted me a bit strangely in a placating way after I had asked her to wait her turn when she made an obvious attempt to push in front of me in the queue. I was not expecting such behaviour in a normally ordered environment. I had a few coins in my pocket where she kept squashing up against me and seemed to be trying to receive service before me. Twice I had to ask her politely to allow me to go first as I was there before her and she then patted me a few too many times which I found totally unecessary and responded in an unfamiliar language consoling me as if I needed placating. All I know is that she was a bit obvious and I moved away. She kept trying to squeeze next to me which made me pull away further and made me bump into other customers, it was as if she was trying to rush her shopping. I didn't lose any money but I did wonder about this odd occurence and the next day reported it to the police. However because no actual crime was committed no action was taken. I think it was a pickpocketting attempt. This was the police's thought too.

Serena Cameron ● 4868d

There were some questionable characters hanging around in The Oaks car park earlier today. I gave them a good stare down and they didn't bother approaching me. I did walk over to the car park office to report this but unfortunately there was no one in attendance.

Sarah Allan ● 4867d

Avoid the place... Like most of my friends who have recently moved to Acton , none of us shop or go near the shopping area ... Go to Chiswick or elsewhere ....

Peter Truesdale ● 4867d

If someone is bothering you - I suggest you challenge them. 'Do you have a problem' 'can I help you' will put any prospective criminal in their place.

Dee Cook ● 4867d

Peter, I think your reply was a little OTT - you make it sound like Acton is a hotbed of criminal activity - and it isn't. Put it this way, if I were a pickpocket, I'd likely operate in Chiswick as there are richer pickings (excuse the pun). Next I'll be reading on here that Churchfield road is a ghetto!Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4867d

There has been a big influx of Romananians gypsys in East Acton and I have seen them and challenge them going through our skip bins(large bins that you have in flats)very early on a Saturday morning I was out walking my dog and encountered and older lady look out and a younger person in the bin, and told them to P off but this has happened a few times

Diana Oneill ● 4867d

Just be aware that the couple going thriough the bins are probably looking for forms of ID. So shred you old bills, bank statements etc and call the police if you see them again. They seem to be operating along the Horn Lane corridor.

David Groves ● 4867d

Peter,That's a sad attitude to take mate! I for one make sure I do as much local shopping as possible in Acton. I am sure you will find dodgy characters hanging around Chiswick High Street. Even more as there is more money being plashed out around there.Perhaps Acton is not you and your friends cup of tea to live in!!

Tony Crumpton ● 4866d

It is sad and I would love to have a high street that I could support but the mix of 3rd rate shops and higher proportion of un desirables than neighbouring Chiswick or Richmond  make it somewhere there is a reason to avoid .I fully support a number of local businesses on Churchfield Road ( new wine shop , butchers etc) but the high street and Oaks is a no go areaAt a recent party of neighbours most of whom have moved here within the last 6 to 18 months ( the ones with skips outside) none shop in the high street or go near it Unless it reinvents itself it will become increasingly a place to avoid

Peter Truesdale ● 4866d

Then you and your friends are missing out, there are some gems on the high street....hakikak, the party shop, the newsagent with all the haberdashery items you need at the back, pintos Thai, rad electronics, Bombay bistro is raved about on here and people come FROM Chiswick to eat there, likewise North China, Thai Nice, Mings is a good takeaway, there's a Boots and a Superdrug, Zahra Pharmacy is brilliant. That's off the top of my head. The only way to regain the high street from the betting shops etc is if we frequent the shops so that the high street becomes somewhere people will want to open good shops. Avoid it and you may as well move out because then it will never improve.

Milena Vincic ● 4866d

Totally agree with the last post.Peter, if you're waiting for pretty but largely useless  boutique designer clothes shops and the like, then you'll be waiting a long time.I for one never want Acton to turn into Chiswick - it's sterile, cold and pretentious. There are many of us that live in Acton through choice not necessity. Let's celebrate what we have rather than aspire to be something we're not.That's not to say things can't be improved, but to achieve that we need to pull together not boycott.Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4866d

Agree with the last two posts.  "No go area" - get a grip!

Nigel Williams ● 4866d

Perhaps Peter shouldn't have moved to Acton if he is so negative about it? If he had done his 'research' before moving he would have known exactly what Acton High Street was like!I have lived here for 33 years and even though it has changed a lot, I am not thinking of moving.

Amanda Knights ● 4866d

If some people choose to boycott Acton High Street then eventually it WILL become a no go area!  Nowhere is perfect and we should make the most of what we have!There are some really good shops along the High Street, just spend a little time and open your eyes!We have a new Costa and a new bakery which has alreeady been mentioned on the forum. Although I haven't been to all of the restaurants along the High Street many people have and have given great reviews.What about the oldest pub, the George & Dragon?There is a very good shop for plumbing needs called Plumbing Town - very friendly and helpful staff and reasonable prices.You can also buy an amazing range of vegetables, fruit and Middle Eastern produce along the High Street. Then of course there is the ever popular Acton Market outside St Mary's Church.There is not much point in longing for another place to shop when there is so much on one's doorstep!Sure there are more upmarket shopping places like Westfield just a short distance away, but spend a little time in Acton and see what you might be missing before running the area down.I have lived in Acton 35 years and wouldn't want to leave this area!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4866d

A noodle bar, such as Wagamama, would help the High Street.Although we all like independent retailers, unfortunately it is the large chains who attract more local residents.

Dee Cook ● 4866d

Comparing Acton and Chiswick forum.Acton, posts mention a higher ratio of 'suspicious characters'  compared to actual crimes.Chiswick, posts mention a higher ratio of victims of crime compared to  'suspicious characters' I've lived in Acton close to 20 years. Never mugged, pick-pocketed or burgled. I often use  The Oaks, as it's a route I can take when walking to and from home to the high street.  You don't get 'dodgy'  characters or street drinkers or even school kids 'hanging around' in The Oaks as there are security staff there to usher them out.  The Oaks has some way to go to become a Westfield,  but it certainly isn't a pickpocket hotspot.  Be streetwise.

Fred Bray ● 4866d

Totally agrre with the threads. My German friend who comes over every summer loves Acton and much prefers it to Chiswick and finds the folk much more engaging and open than the Toffs next door.

Tony Crumpton ● 4866d

Thanks Dee for your advice. I'll remember to ask such a question next time. And apologies to everyone who read my comment and assumed such things are the norm. I can reassure you that this was a one off. I've lived in Acton for over 20 years and have never felt safer. I should have made this a new thread because security is practically everywhere and community spirit does exist on the High Street, particularly in Hakikat which has great surveillance cameras. However having said this there was a report of an attempt to abduct a child earlier this week at the bottom of the High Street but the child escaped and ran into the grocery store opposite the Bingo Hall. I don't have the precise details. This area of crime needs watching out for and to be most concerned with as so many people are moving in and moving out. This is where we have to be extra vigilant with such a world we live in today. It's hard to keep tabs of so many faces in the residential areas. And human safety comes first.

Serena Cameron ● 4863d

Wholly agree, Milena, there's nowhere to compete with the new pharmacy for speed or loveliness or opening hours. Plus Mr Charmy in the newsagents opposite was Mavis's most assiduous carer - used to pop in with papers and deliveries ever so often - you don't get that everywhere. Plus Hakkekat and the party shop and some restaurants.Haven't tried the Costa - though I am told its doing good business - or the new bakery (carb-free diet still!)but we should be using our local shops and businesses - whether in the High Street or Churchfield Road - as much as we can to help them thrive. That's how they and the area will improve and become more attractive.

Sara Nathan ● 4863d