Horror as Harlow runners assaulted by thugs
Crime / Sat 5th Feb 2022 at 12:59pm
ESSEX Police has started an investigation after a group of runners were assaulted in Harlow.
It has been reported to the police that two suspects approached the group from Harlow Running and Triathlon Club (HRTC) when they were running in Howard Way at around 8pm on Thursday 3 February.
One female runner attended hospital for treatment to her injuries as she was struck in the face. Two others were also hurt.
Thursday night is HRTC’s traditional Thursday night evening run when, as a group of between twenty and thirty they undertake a highly organised street run between four and seven miles.
Their enquiries are ongoing, and they need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam, or doorbell footage to contact us.
If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the ‘Live Chat’ button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.
Please quote crime reference number 42/30248/22.
You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A spokesperson for Harlow Running and Tri Club said:
“We confirm that we have been dealing with an incident that happened on Thursday 3rd February, during our evening group run and was reported to the Police
Four of our members, two males and two females were assaulted by two youths on a bike.
One member is receiving on going hospital treatment and our club welfare officers are currently supporting all those affected.
After an emergency committee meeting, the club has introduced a pro-active plan to mitigate the risks to our members going forward.
We want all our members to feel safe when exercising outdoors and we actively encourage all those who do running to do so, together in groups.
This behaviour from the youths responsible, is street harassment, a totally unacceptable behaviour. As a club we are looking into how we can safeguard and proactively protect ourselves against an attack, and ensure the safety of all our members.
“This kind of incident is rare”.
Ruth Eamis
2022-02-05 18:06:45
Nobody should feel threatened or assulted on Harlow streets. That Includes pedestrians. It is shameful that Harlow Police do not protect pavement users by really cracking down on selfish users of e-scooters. I am pleased that Police are investigating this assault..... but what about the many many pedestrians who are scared and violated on a daily basis by moronic, anti-social people using e-scooters illegally. This is such a graphic 'thin end of the wedge' which explains why in many ways life in Harlow has deteriorated. POLICE.... do your job.... Stop illegal activity. Stop dangerous e-scooter users.
Katie B
2022-02-05 18:08:36
Couldn't agree more. Well said.
John Smith
2022-02-05 18:37:24
What’s this article got to do with e-scooters. Bigger crimes happening in Harlow than e-scooter usage. Woke brigade alert…
Eric Dier
2022-02-06 00:08:02
What’s it to do with e-scooters you sausage
Nostradamus
2022-02-06 09:50:00
No one should be at risk when walking or running and should perpetrators be caught they should be prosecuted and made to pay substantial compensation to the victims. Unfortunately this kind of crime pushes us towards more CCTV surveillance, it's happening everywhere, however compared to places like Canterbury, Harlow seems relatively a low street crime place to live. Scooters are a different issue: insure, register owners, statutorily require lights and number plates. Restrict to cycle paths.
David Hughes
2022-02-06 10:09:40
If we had a police force in Harlow things could be different
Benjamin Jeffreys
2022-02-06 11:09:03
I've lived in Harlow since 2015 and I've only ever seen police driving cars or vans and the occasional parked up on a verge at night waiting for dangerous drivers. The presence of the force about overall in Harlow does feel very low and I can see why people don't always feel safe. It could be related to cuts so we don't have full context but I would like to see more police especially walking not driving through areas like the underpasses and places that crimes are likely to be committed out of site. It is all common sense but obviously it's range is very limited in humanity these days. Not expecting police to walk all day but a few patrols here and there increases visibility to the community if you just drive around you are gone in a second or two and less noticeable.
David Hughes
2022-02-06 13:17:16
You do get to see the police shopping in Asda, before they whizz back to the police station. They never police the town
Nostradamus
2022-02-06 17:14:32
Police resources are decided by government, the questions are: "how is it that there's people who take no heed of behaving in this way, have no regard for others here? What is it about their culture, values and perhaps education and upbringing?" Blame the perpetrators not the police.
Jean
2022-02-06 19:48:53
I agree. It is identified in primary school if there is a behavioural issue. Some parents, not all, admit to not being able to control their child+their behaviour. Some aren't bothered. And some bribe them with a reward if they behave for a week. If these parents were committed parents they'd know who their child was hanging around with, where they were going or what they'd been doing. If you know your child you'd know when they were lying, guilty or notice any unusual behaviour, mood, attitude etc. When I was younger my friend+I worried if we saw a police officer even though we hadn't done anything wrong. The expected respect was normal. Nowadays a police presence is so rare it means nothing. I'd say these innocent runners were lucky their injuries, although bad enough, weren't worse.
Iain
2022-02-07 10:38:09
Must be a really tough bunch of thugs to assault a woman. It really is time that police forces were staffed by ex-military personnel who smash heads with truncheons first and ask questions later. It's pointless trying to correct these thugs when they are very young as no one is allowed to discipline them anymore and scum begets scum. I notice that The Stow is once again attracting a large congregation of yobs, even though there are signs saying the area is regularly patrolled by Police. The Police are only reactionary these days if they can be bothered at all.
Leave a Comment Below:
11 Comments for Horror as Harlow runners assaulted by thugs: