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Estate is no-go for pizza delivery firm

from Cathy (cathyvpreece@aol.com)

South London Press

News

Estate is no-go for pizza delivery firm

Aug 8 2003
By Chris Pragnell

PIZZA deliverer was stabbed and robbed by a gang after venturing into a "no-go" area.

The 23-year-old had made a delivery to Battersea's Winstanley Estate when he was attacked in a lift by six young men.

Sickened managers at his firm, Pizza Go-Go, say the estate is one of several areas in South London that are practically off-limits.

The attack happened at around 8.40pm on Sunday as the driver was leaving the lift at Sporle Court, off Winstanley Road.

A gang attacked him, beating him while one thug tried to wrench off his helmet.

Police say he managed to break free but was followed to his motorbike, stabbed in the thigh and robbed of £20.

The attack left the victim hospitalised and he has since left his job at Pizza Go-Go, Wandsworth.

Soli Khorsarvanifar, manager at a sister-outlet in Wandsworth Road, said: "The estate is a no-go area. We ask customers to pick up from a main road, but they refuse. They're paying after all.

"There's places drivers are scared to go - parts of Battersea, Kennington and so on."

But Sergeant Richard Dean, of Wandsworth police, denied the estate was a no-go area.

"We don't tell people where they can and can't go," he said.

"Our advice to delivery staff of any kind is always be aware of your surroundings.

"Unfortunately they can be seen as vulnerable, and unfortunately they will be targeted by some sections of society.

"Until we introduce some sort of cashless system they will always be a potential target."

The attackers were all described as black and in their late teens or early 20s.

One suspect was around 18, 5ft 6ins tall, wearing a red and white T-shirt.

Another was around 20, 5ft 10ins tall, wearing a white T-shirt with stripes on the arms. Information to Battersea crimedesk on 020-8247 8441.

Is your estate a no-go area? What do you think should be done?

Text: 07766 725 997
(cost is your standard network rate)

Email: letters@slp.co.uk Write: 2-4 Leigham Court Road, London SW16 2PD (Please include your full name, address and phone number)

(posted 7538 days ago)

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