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Mum stands up against muggers
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| ALERT: Carole Millard is warning other parents to tell their children to stay together after her son was mugged |
MUM Carole Millard is taking a stand against violent crime in Chippenham after her 16-year-old son was mugged in the town.
Mrs Millard, from Pewsham, is urging parents to make their children walk through the town in groups in a bid to stop them becoming targets for muggers.
Her son Joe was walking home with a friend at 11.30pm on July 1 when two men approached them outside the Three Crowns pub on the Causeway.
One of the men stood behind Joe and his friend and other told them to hand over their valuables or they would smash their faces into the pavements'.
The boys handed over their mobile phones and an empty wallet before the men made off.
The police were called and swiftly found and arrested the two muggers.
Mrs Millard said: "This mugging has really affected my son and he has become a shell of the person he was.
"After the incident he was too scared to leave me and wouldn't even go to his room alone to play on his games console.
"Joe is such a quiet boy and hardly goes out so this is even more distressing.
"It is so worrying that this can happen in Chippenham.
"Wiltshire Police did such an amazing job and I would like to thank them for their swift response.
"I hate to have to say this but children should stick in groups when walking about at night - we are living in dangerous and scary times.
"The outcome of this incident could have taken a nasty turn. My son thought the muggers might have had knives.
"I would also urge people if they see large groups of teenagers not to assume they are causing trouble - they are probably just trying to stay safe."
Mrs Millard is also urging anyone who is witness to an attack to contact police immediately.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: "We would always urge young people to stay in groups when walking anywhere at night and to let parents or family know their whereabouts."
2:28pm Thursday 10th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: mc, Bath on 3:56pm Thu 10 Jul 08
"I hate to have to say this but children should stick in groups when walking about at night..."
Children shouldn't be out walking the streets at night. End of.
"I hate to have to say this but children should stick in groups when walking about at night..."
Children shouldn't be out walking the streets at night. End of.
Posted by: mjhudston, Chippenham, Wiltshire on 6:46pm Thu 10 Jul 08
[quote][bold]mc[/bold] wrote:
"I hate to have to say this but children should stick in groups when walking about at night..." Children shouldn't be out walking the streets at night. End of.[/quote] I think that it should have been the men who should not have been out at night as it was two MEN who caused the mugging.
mc wrote:
"I hate to have to say this but children should stick in groups when walking about at night..." Children shouldn't be out walking the streets at night. End of.
I think that it should have been the men who should not have been out at night as it was two MEN who caused the mugging.
Posted by: pebbles, Chippenham on 11:03pm Thu 10 Jul 08
In response to mc - this is a free country and we should not be ruled by those who threaten us. The boy was 16 - not exactly a child and if more provision were made for facilities for teenagers they wouldn't be walking the streets!!!!!
In response to mc - this is a free country and we should not be ruled by those who threaten us. The boy was 16 - not exactly a child and if more provision were made for facilities for teenagers they wouldn't be walking the streets!!!!!
Posted by: Joe, Wilts on 3:17am Fri 11 Jul 08
Lets hope the muggers get a deserved punishment and locked up not some soft option community service.
I do agree though 16 year olds should not be wandering the street at 1130pm there are too many youngsters even younger on the streets late at night why? what do there parents think they are upto?
Lets hope the muggers get a deserved punishment and locked up not some soft option community service.
I do agree though 16 year olds should not be wandering the street at 1130pm there are too many youngsters even younger on the streets late at night why? what do there parents think they are upto?
Posted by: mc, Bath on 9:23am Fri 11 Jul 08
"this is a free country and we should not be ruled by those who threaten us" - i totally agree. But it is naive to suggest that it's safe for children to be out at night. Re. facilities for teenagers – what would you suggest?
"this is a free country and we should not be ruled by those who threaten us" - i totally agree. But it is naive to suggest that it's safe for children to be out at night. Re. facilities for teenagers – what would you suggest?
Posted by: formerdriver, Swindon on 12:53pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Young people cant win these days, if they are alone they risk being mugged and if they are in larger groups the police watch them until they have a good case to go to court for dispersal orders. The police may have done a good job in this instance but far too many times they pick on "easy targets" like youths out with their mates rather than going after real criminals as to solve a crime where someone had nicked a mars bar from a shop for instance gets the same recognition as arresting a burglar (according to recent media) so whats eaier to solve??. Maybe more youth centres should be available with transport subsidised so that youngsters can go along, play sports etc and get home without fear of being mugged or harassed by the police. Remember that its easy to say they should stick in groups but sooner or later they go home one by one and there will always be someone walking alone as they never all live on the same estate.
Young people cant win these days, if they are alone they risk being mugged and if they are in larger groups the police watch them until they have a good case to go to court for dispersal orders. The police may have done a good job in this instance but far too many times they pick on "easy targets" like youths out with their mates rather than going after real criminals as to solve a crime where someone had nicked a mars bar from a shop for instance gets the same recognition as arresting a burglar (according to recent media) so whats eaier to solve??. Maybe more youth centres should be available with transport subsidised so that youngsters can go along, play sports etc and get home without fear of being mugged or harassed by the police. Remember that its easy to say they should stick in groups but sooner or later they go home one by one and there will always be someone walking alone as they never all live on the same estate.
Posted by: rosco, Chippenham on 1:19pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Sorry, I don't see how the mum is "taking a stand", she's only trying to get kids to go around in bigger groups.
I don't think that it is correct to say 16 yr olds shouldnt be out late, we should concentrate on stopping those that do crimes, not take away rights from normal citizens' free movement to stop them becoming victims.
Sorry, I don't see how the mum is "taking a stand", she's only trying to get kids to go around in bigger groups.
I don't think that it is correct to say 16 yr olds shouldnt be out late, we should concentrate on stopping those that do crimes, not take away rights from normal citizens' free movement to stop them becoming victims.
Posted by: Joe, Wilts on 11:15pm Fri 11 Jul 08
There are plenty of facilities for young people if they chose to use them the argument is always made that there is nothing for them to do there are clubs groups and societies all over town and a large sports and youth centre and plenty of playgrounds the facilities are there already.
Everyone should be able to walk the streets whenever and feel confident and safe to do so and i dont curtail peoples freedom, however you do have to wonder why people so young are on the streets and if you go through the town late at the weekend you will see kids younger still! do you not wonder why they are out and where the parental responsibility is for these kids that they are on the streets at this time
There are plenty of facilities for young people if they chose to use them the argument is always made that there is nothing for them to do there are clubs groups and societies all over town and a large sports and youth centre and plenty of playgrounds the facilities are there already.
Everyone should be able to walk the streets whenever and feel confident and safe to do so and i dont curtail peoples freedom, however you do have to wonder why people so young are on the streets and if you go through the town late at the weekend you will see kids younger still! do you not wonder why they are out and where the parental responsibility is for these kids that they are on the streets at this time
Posted by: pebbles, Chippenham on 10:17am Sat 12 Jul 08
It seems to me that teenagers are not going to win where people are concerned these days - everyone has decided they are trouble regardless. The majority of them just want to hang out with their friends to chat and have a laugh - as we all did as teenagers! I totally disagree that there are enough facilities for them - take Pewsham for example, the youth club was closed because not enough adults were willing to help out. How about our ridiculous excuse for a cinema? Who wants to sit in that flea-pit? Someone should be actually asking the teenagers what they want instead of deciding that they know best what they want and need.
It seems to me that teenagers are not going to win where people are concerned these days - everyone has decided they are trouble regardless. The majority of them just want to hang out with their friends to chat and have a laugh - as we all did as teenagers! I totally disagree that there are enough facilities for them - take Pewsham for example, the youth club was closed because not enough adults were willing to help out. How about our ridiculous excuse for a cinema? Who wants to sit in that flea-pit? Someone should be actually asking the teenagers what they want instead of deciding that they know best what they want and need.
Posted by: Joe, Wilts on 2:18pm Sat 12 Jul 08
Pebbles most teenagers are absoulutley fine in all respect even the ones who hang around looking dodgey.
I was a youth worker for a number of years and it is simple those kids who are minded and guided to take part in clubs etc the others who are not dont, and in the main hang around chatting smoking and whatever else in a quite harmless fashion.
But lets not delude ourselves the kids who are often, and not nesseserily these 2 out on the streets late at night are the youngsters who are doing underage drinking, drugs and getting upto mischief albeit often petty and minor.
Too many parents turn a blind eye to their kids comming home at 1 in the morning showing signs of drink and drug taking hoping it will all go away.
They should take somr parental responsibility and give guidance and a sensible frame work for their kids, not be all liberal and let them do what they want under the guise of freedom and letting them grow up.
Pebbles most teenagers are absoulutley fine in all respect even the ones who hang around looking dodgey.
I was a youth worker for a number of years and it is simple those kids who are minded and guided to take part in clubs etc the others who are not dont, and in the main hang around chatting smoking and whatever else in a quite harmless fashion.
But lets not delude ourselves the kids who are often, and not nesseserily these 2 out on the streets late at night are the youngsters who are doing underage drinking, drugs and getting upto mischief albeit often petty and minor.
Too many parents turn a blind eye to their kids comming home at 1 in the morning showing signs of drink and drug taking hoping it will all go away.
They should take somr parental responsibility and give guidance and a sensible frame work for their kids, not be all liberal and let them do what they want under the guise of freedom and letting them grow up.
Posted by: pebbles, Chippenham on 9:28am Sun 13 Jul 08
Joe I totally agree - but please bear in mind that this was one of the first times my son had ever been out in the evening like this, you cannot wrap them up in cotton wool. He is a respectable, decent, honest, very polite child who has been brought up to have respect for both himself and for others. He has never been in trouble and most certainly knows the difference between right and wrong and what is good for him and what isn't. Basically he has been brought up properly with discipline, but I know there are loads of kids out there who haven't. There is one thing missing in our society these days and that is that discipline - people have had the right to administer discipline taken away and not only to others but to themselves. Children should be dealt discipline at home first and then school but unfortunately the schools are not able to do this any more - they can't even stick a plaster on a child's knee any more for fear of being accused of sexual activity - our society has taken things too far and it is because of this that people and teenagers alike are out of control....simply because they don't know any different because they haven't been taught any different!
Joe I totally agree - but please bear in mind that this was one of the first times my son had ever been out in the evening like this, you cannot wrap them up in cotton wool. He is a respectable, decent, honest, very polite child who has been brought up to have respect for both himself and for others. He has never been in trouble and most certainly knows the difference between right and wrong and what is good for him and what isn't. Basically he has been brought up properly with discipline, but I know there are loads of kids out there who haven't. There is one thing missing in our society these days and that is that discipline - people have had the right to administer discipline taken away and not only to others but to themselves. Children should be dealt discipline at home first and then school but unfortunately the schools are not able to do this any more - they can't even stick a plaster on a child's knee any more for fear of being accused of sexual activity - our society has taken things too far and it is because of this that people and teenagers alike are out of control....simply because they don't know any different because they haven't been taught any different!
Posted by: Jesse Lake, Chippenham on 2:37pm Sun 13 Jul 08
I knew the boy and i hope he gets over his ordeal soon. Facilities in chippenham actually is very poor. No one in their right mind would sit in the so called cinema, bridge centre is being closed, sold and knocked down and isnt always open anyway, and unless you know about and want to b in one of the uniformed organisations, there is actually very little to do in the teenage years. Many of us like this poor young man just walk along then receive harrassment and problems from others, its them that should be discrimated, not the innocent young people who are actually a credit to society, if you want to discriminate against any1, do it against those who actually cause trouble and the problems that get reported about.
I knew the boy and i hope he gets over his ordeal soon. Facilities in chippenham actually is very poor. No one in their right mind would sit in the so called cinema, bridge centre is being closed, sold and knocked down and isnt always open anyway, and unless you know about and want to b in one of the uniformed organisations, there is actually very little to do in the teenage years. Many of us like this poor young man just walk along then receive harrassment and problems from others, its them that should be discrimated, not the innocent young people who are actually a credit to society, if you want to discriminate against any1, do it against those who actually cause trouble and the problems that get reported about.
Posted by: Joe, Calne on 10:50pm Sun 13 Jul 08
No one should be discriminated against.
Pebbles has knocked the issue on the head it is about upbrining and discipline and not to do with facilities or lack of them depending on your view.
There are no less facilities or activities for the young now than there were in the past but behaviour has declined in an element of the young and thats not about facilities its about the upbrining and parental standards and discipline and good social behaviour in general.
The hooloigans who mugged these boys were probably hooligan teeagers before and thats the problem our current hooligan teenagers will be brining up their kids the same way as they know no difference.
The penalties for bad behaviour in the young are to soft you only have to look at the governments response to knife carrying if you get caught you get to tour a hospital etc, hardly the thing that will cause kids to fear carrying knives.
There needs to be harsh penalties for the worst offenders to act as a deterant for the rest
No one should be discriminated against.
Pebbles has knocked the issue on the head it is about upbrining and discipline and not to do with facilities or lack of them depending on your view.
There are no less facilities or activities for the young now than there were in the past but behaviour has declined in an element of the young and thats not about facilities its about the upbrining and parental standards and discipline and good social behaviour in general.
The hooloigans who mugged these boys were probably hooligan teeagers before and thats the problem our current hooligan teenagers will be brining up their kids the same way as they know no difference.
The penalties for bad behaviour in the young are to soft you only have to look at the governments response to knife carrying if you get caught you get to tour a hospital etc, hardly the thing that will cause kids to fear carrying knives.
There needs to be harsh penalties for the worst offenders to act as a deterant for the rest
Posted by: pebbles, Chippenham on 7:36am Mon 14 Jul 08
Well said Joe - take this for example. A child is disruptive at school, causes lots of trouble and does unacceptable things (hypothetical) - what happens? They get excluded for a period of time. Now what exactly does that say? It says to me - go and take a few days holiday from somewhere you don't really want to be! How is that punishment? They must be laughing themselves silly! Better punishment would be to make them go to school at the weekend as well as the week!
Well said Joe - take this for example. A child is disruptive at school, causes lots of trouble and does unacceptable things (hypothetical) - what happens? They get excluded for a period of time. Now what exactly does that say? It says to me - go and take a few days holiday from somewhere you don't really want to be! How is that punishment? They must be laughing themselves silly! Better punishment would be to make them go to school at the weekend as well as the week!
Posted by: Joe, wilts on 12:14pm Mon 14 Jul 08
Pebbles stand for MP you will do a better job than the current lot!!!
To often bad behaviour can seem to have rewards. You are right schools should have more powers to deal with bad behaviour and parents should support schools in this. Nowdays there is to much looking at the cause of crime and almost seeing the criminal as a social victim who needs to be understood. Clearly understood penalties and boundaries are what young people need. The latest policy of taking youths caught carrying knives to see stab victims is another example of an inpractical solution. Make it clear that if you are caught carrying a weapon that you will without question go to jail for a spell and make it clear the police will do random checks and all but the haardest thugs will think twice before carrying weapons.
Pebbles stand for MP you will do a better job than the current lot!!!
To often bad behaviour can seem to have rewards. You are right schools should have more powers to deal with bad behaviour and parents should support schools in this. Nowdays there is to much looking at the cause of crime and almost seeing the criminal as a social victim who needs to be understood. Clearly understood penalties and boundaries are what young people need. The latest policy of taking youths caught carrying knives to see stab victims is another example of an inpractical solution. Make it clear that if you are caught carrying a weapon that you will without question go to jail for a spell and make it clear the police will do random checks and all but the haardest thugs will think twice before carrying weapons.
Posted by: pebbles, Chippenham on 10:07am Tue 15 Jul 08
Stand for MP? I don't think so - most politicians are corrupt liars who only have number one at the forefront of their mind! Would I want to join their sordid, sad, little lives? No thanks! People power is the way to go - stand up, speak out and let them know what you really want!
Stand for MP? I don't think so - most politicians are corrupt liars who only have number one at the forefront of their mind! Would I want to join their sordid, sad, little lives? No thanks! People power is the way to go - stand up, speak out and let them know what you really want!
Posted by: Phil_S, Chippenham on 3:42am Wed 16 Jul 08
I' so gald the police did something this time. My duaghter was mugged in broad day light when she was 15 outside a supermarket. It took 6 weeks of phone calls to even get the police to take a statement despite being told the name of the offender & witnesses.
I' so gald the police did something this time. My duaghter was mugged in broad day light when she was 15 outside a supermarket. It took 6 weeks of phone calls to even get the police to take a statement despite being told the name of the offender & witnesses.
Posted by: Joe, Wilts on 1:01am Sun 20 Jul 08
It is appauling that a 15 or 16 year old can be mugged in the street in a place like Chippenham.
It should be safe for all at all times sadly to many parents are weak willed and failed to take any action to try and prevent their kids deviant behaviour.Too many kids are wandering the streets at strange hours of the night or cruising around under the influence of drugs and drink causing mayhem and antisocial behaviour and yes worse occassionally mugging and robbing.
If parents stopped ignoring what should be obvious to them when their own kids behaviour is clearly questionable then the streets might be safer for all
It is appauling that a 15 or 16 year old can be mugged in the street in a place like Chippenham.
It should be safe for all at all times sadly to many parents are weak willed and failed to take any action to try and prevent their kids deviant behaviour.Too many kids are wandering the streets at strange hours of the night or cruising around under the influence of drugs and drink causing mayhem and antisocial behaviour and yes worse occassionally mugging and robbing.
If parents stopped ignoring what should be obvious to them when their own kids behaviour is clearly questionable then the streets might be safer for all
Posted by: Joe, Wilts on 1:03am Sun 20 Jul 08
With regard to Phil S why did you not just go to the police station the day it happened and make a statement?
With regard to Phil S why did you not just go to the police station the day it happened and make a statement?
Posted by: Don, Devizes on 9:13pm Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote][bold]pebbles[/bold] wrote:
Stand for MP? I don't think so - most politicians are corrupt liars who only have number one at the forefront of their mind! Would I want to join their sordid, sad, little lives? No thanks! People power is the way to go - stand up, speak out and let them know what you really want![/quote] Met a lot, have you?
pebbles wrote:
Stand for MP? I don't think so - most politicians are corrupt liars who only have number one at the forefront of their mind! Would I want to join their sordid, sad, little lives? No thanks! People power is the way to go - stand up, speak out and let them know what you really want!
Met a lot, have you?
Posted by: Grumpy, Chippenham on 10:47pm Sun 20 Jul 08
I have met a few dishonest and rather dodgey local politicians and what you read about Mps hardly paints them in a good light sometimes.
I have met a few dishonest and rather dodgey local politicians and what you read about Mps hardly paints them in a good light sometimes.
Posted by: Grumpy, Chippenham on 10:51pm Sun 20 Jul 08
As for the post about the 15 year old girl being mugged i think i know about that if it happened sometime ago, and the police response was hardly good!!
However it is rather ironic that the girl who is older now has a younger brother who hangs around with a convicted mugger who has in the past been mentioned in these pages.
Maybe a case of dont like the kids being mugged but dont mind them being mates with muggers, double standards me thinks
As for the post about the 15 year old girl being mugged i think i know about that if it happened sometime ago, and the police response was hardly good!!
However it is rather ironic that the girl who is older now has a younger brother who hangs around with a convicted mugger who has in the past been mentioned in these pages.
Maybe a case of dont like the kids being mugged but dont mind them being mates with muggers, double standards me thinks
Posted by: Don, Devizes on 11:23am Mon 21 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Grumpy[/bold] wrote:
I have met a few dishonest and rather dodgey local politicians and what you read about Mps hardly paints them in a good light sometimes. [/quote] It's the knee-jerk Daily Mailesque assumption that most or all are corrupt that makes me sick. Sure, some are bent or in it just for themselves. Some do go into it for the wrong reasons. But many do it for the right reasons - often they're narked about a local issue and believe that you should put up or shut up.
A problem that seldom gets raised is how many 'passengers' there are, especially at local level. These people make naff-all difference bar toeing the party line. They do absolutely nothing for their local communities. Nothing whatsoever. Parasites. I would guess that about 20% of District Councillors and 25% or Parish representatives fall into this category.
Bitter? Me! Guilty as charged.
Grumpy wrote:
I have met a few dishonest and rather dodgey local politicians and what you read about Mps hardly paints them in a good light sometimes.
It's the knee-jerk Daily Mailesque assumption that most or all are corrupt that makes me sick. Sure, some are bent or in it just for themselves. Some do go into it for the wrong reasons. But many do it for the right reasons - often they're narked about a local issue and believe that you should put up or shut up.
A problem that seldom gets raised is how many 'passengers' there are, especially at local level. These people make naff-all difference bar toeing the party line. They do absolutely nothing for their local communities. Nothing whatsoever. Parasites. I would guess that about 20% of District Councillors and 25% or Parish representatives fall into this category.
Bitter? Me! Guilty as charged.
Posted by: Grumpy, Chippenham on 7:00pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Well Don there you are thats probably the same 25% we all have an issue with and its not just MPs.
At local level some just want the power status or have their own agenda.
Power corrupts???
Fixed terms of office are the way forward?
I even think i read somewhere that Calne council has voted to extend its term in office?? How can that be right?
Well Don there you are thats probably the same 25% we all have an issue with and its not just MPs.
At local level some just want the power status or have their own agenda.
Power corrupts???
Fixed terms of office are the way forward?
I even think i read somewhere that Calne council has voted to extend its term in office?? How can that be right?
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