Joanna Lumley's Street Plagued by Crime as Gang Attempts Car Theft
Wealthy residents of Albert Square in Stockwell, south London, have reported that their exclusive neighbourhood is rife with crime, following an attempted theft of actress Joanna Lumley's car by an alleged Eastern European gang. The Absolutely Fabulous star, 79, was woken in the middle of the night to the sound of a car alarm and a group of men trying to drive off with her vehicle from outside her £2.5 million townhouse.
Chaotic Confrontation in Dressing Gown
Joanna Lumley emerged from her home wearing a dressing gown to witness a chaotic scene, with men revving motorbikes while attempting to break into her car. One of the gang members sat in the driver's seat but panicked when the engine failed to start, shouting: 'I can't f***ing start it'. In the ensuing confusion, the gang allegedly threatened Ms Lumley's husband, British composer Stephen Barlow, with an iron bar.
Unable to start the car and surrounded by affluent residents, the gang fled, leaving the vehicle largely unscathed with only superficial damage to its boot. The incident has highlighted broader security concerns in this quiet square, where houses sell for up to £3.25 million.
Residents Report Spate of Criminal Incidents
Neighbours told the Daily Mail that the attempted theft of Ms Lumley's car is just the latest in a series of crimes blighting the area. In March alone, three break-ins occurred in the square over two days, located between South Lambeth Estate and busy South Lambeth Road. Other incidents reported by residents include:
- A Rolls-Royce broken into 'a month or two ago' as thieves searched for items on the backseat.
- Frequent mobile phone snatches by thugs on mopeds.
- One neighbour mugged while holding a newborn baby, and another held at knifepoint for refusing to hand over a bicycle.
- Even the local convent has been targeted, with drunken partygoers stealing their nativity scene and Christmas lights on New Year's Eve.
One resident expressed frustration: 'All of these incidents are happening at nightfall, the moment it gets darker. We've been asking for CCTV for years and nothing has happened. It seems like neither the police nor the council will do anything about it.'
Longstanding Crime Issues in South London
Another neighbour added: 'It does happen a lot. There was a time a while back when somebody slashed all the tyres of the bigger cars, the 4x4s, thinking, posh people.' They also noted seeing a silver Mercedes van with its door left open last week, likely from a failed break-in attempt.
A woman who has lived in the neighbourhood for four decades commented: 'It is the same old, same old. I've lived here 40 years, and it is the same as it has always been. It is south London, so what do you expect? You do have more crime with people on bikes snatching phones, but the police are powerless to do anything.'
She detailed her own experiences: 'I've had numerous cars broken into over the years, I've had windows smashed for no apparent reason, and mindless vandalism. It goes on, but until you have a police force that is supported by the Government and the community rather than being the pariahs, it's how it is now.'
Police Response and Statistics
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating a series of car thefts in Lambeth. A spokesperson stated: 'Tackling car theft and other neighbourhood crime remains a priority for the Met. We have strengthened neighbourhood policing, with more officers focused on identifying and targeting the most prolific offenders who cause the greatest harm to communities.'
They added that across London, vehicle crime, including theft and damage to vehicles, is down by almost 15 per cent compared with this time last year. Despite this, residents in Albert Square feel neglected and unsafe.
Ms Lumley declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail for further details on the incident. The attempted theft has underscored the ongoing challenges faced by even the wealthiest neighbourhoods in dealing with persistent criminal activity.
