Dame Joanna Lumley Confronts Motorbike Bandits in South London Car Break-In Attempt
Absolutely Fabulous star Dame Joanna Lumley was targeted by motorbike bandits who attempted to steal her car as a spate of break-ins gripped her neighbourhood in south London. The actress and model, best known for her iconic role as Patsy Stone in the BBC comedy series, was rudely awakened in her home last week.
Late-Night Confrontation Outside £2.5 Million Townhouse
Joanna Lumley, 79, emerged from her £2.5 million townhouse to discover a group of men revving motorbikes while trying to break into her vehicle. The gang of masked thieves surrounded her motor, with one individual sitting in the driver's seat attempting unsuccessfully to start the car. The vehicle's alarm wailed into the night as the thieves repeatedly tried to steal it.
Dame Joanna Lumley screamed at the group of thugs while dressed only in a dressing gown during the dead of night confrontation. Her next-door neighbour also came out, and the pair are said to have shouted at the gang, who scrambled from the scene in disarray.
Damage and Wider Crime Wave in the Area
The car was left where it stood, but there was damage to the boot following the break-in attempt. This incident represents just the latest in a series of crimes blighting the London area. One van in the neighbourhood had its door broken, while a small red car had its passenger window smashed in.
A neighbour revealed that a 1990s Rolls Royce had been smashed into "a month or two ago" on Lumley's road as thieves "tried to find something on the back seat." However, the same neighbour admitted they have never experienced issues with their own two vehicles, noting that "the only issue we have is people stealing our packages but that happens everywhere in London."
Police Warnings and Historical Context
A neighbour informed the Daily Mail that police had warned local residents on March 28 about a series of car break-ins and urged them to report any information to the Metropolitan Police. David James, who has lived on the square for thirty years, stated that car thefts used to be a much greater issue when he first moved to the area.
"He said a neighbour had stopped him recently to say that their car had been broken into, although he has never had issues with his own vehicle," the report noted. The actress declined to comment when approached by the Mail about the incident.
Celebrity Crime Victims in London
Stars have frequently been targeted by criminals in London as crime rates continue to concern residents. Broadcaster Selina Scott, 74, was viciously attacked and robbed by gang members in broad daylight in June last year. The stalwart of British television since the 1980s was leaving a Waterstones branch when she was struck on the back of her right knee, leaving her feeling as if she had been "stabbed."
Thieves then seized upon her backpack, attempting to rip it off the former ITN News At Ten anchor, but she bravely fought back and managed to keep it despite them holding what appeared to be a weapon. In another incident, Sir Mick Jagger's fiancée Melanie Hamrick was "physically attacked" outside the exclusive private members club Annabel's in Mayfair in February this year.
She revealed that two muggers grabbed her from behind, leaving her "shaken" and "heartbroken" in an Instagram post about the traumatic experience.
Joanna Lumley's Career and Upcoming Milestone
Dame Joanna Lumley, born in India in 1946, is due to turn 80 in a matter of weeks and previously expressed delight at continuing her illustrious professional career. She travelled to Britain in 1954 aboard the HMT Empire Windrush with her family and later pursued modelling after being rejected by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
The actress maintains that "having no certainty" in her life helps keep her "vibrant and engaged," explaining that "if you're always trying something new" it sustains energy levels. She told the Telegraph: "It's extraordinary, isn't it? I've been saying I'm 80 for the last two or three years because I thought I was, but I wasn't. People are making a big hoo-ha about this 80, as if I'm somehow going to be different."
"I'll be working on my birthday. I'm thrilled and I'm touched that people have remembered and think about it more than I do," she added enthusiastically about her approaching milestone.
Continuing Career and Incident Reporting
Joanna Lumley has featured in numerous productions including The Wolf of Wall Street, James and the Giant Peach, Ella Enchanted, Coronation Street, and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. She remains active in her career, recently appearing on programmes including Car SOS, Wednesday, and a Sky travel series exploring Caribbean destinations like Cuba and Haiti.
The attempted break-in of her car was first reported in The Times by columnist Emma Duncan, who stated she had come out to help Dame Joanna scare away the thieves. The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment regarding the incident and the wider pattern of car crimes in the area.
