Police have declared part of Hampstead Heath a no-go area after dark following a series of knifepoint robberies. Three teenagers were robbed between 9pm and 10pm near Parliament Hill Lido, close to Gospel Oak, over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May.
Patrols of the Parliament Hill area have been stepped up in response to the incidents. Highgate-based PC John Hounsell said: 'All victims have been males in their mid to late teens, and a knife has been used to threaten victims on every occasion.' He advised visitors to stick to lit routes or seek alternative routes such as roads or public transport when crossing the Heath after dark.
A youth has been arrested and bailed in connection with the robberies. PC Hounsell added: 'Try to avoid dimly lit areas. The Lido on Parliament Hill is a very dark area and we would advise avoiding this during darkness hours. Avoid travelling alone on the Heath during hours of darkness.'
The incidents follow a separate attack in May, when a teenager fought off a masked knife-wielding robber with an umbrella, chasing him onto Hampstead Heath.
