Two arrested in connection with bike attacks in De Beauvoir

Following Hackney Hives report yesterday on recent attacks in the De Beauvoir/Queensbridge areas, Hackney police have released information regarding two men arrested on 20 September following an attempted robbery on a man  in St Peters Way, N1.

The two suspects, Jamie Johnson and Aaron Onabanjo both 20 years old from Kingsland Road, E8 are thought to have approached the victim whilst he was cycling, knocking him to the ground in an attempt to steal his bike. The victim fought back managing to escape.

Both were charged and appeared at Thames Magistrates on the 22nd Sept, and remanded in custody to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 30 November, 2010.

Police say this particular assault has been linked to a number of recent similar offences within the De Beauvoir area, close to the Hackney / Islington border, where suspects have attacked and robbed lone cyclists or pedestrians travelling in the late evening to early hours of the morning.

In response to these crimes, police have increased patrols of both covert and uniformed officers within the De Beauvoir area. Intelligence gathered as a result of these patrols directly led to the arrest of Johnson and Onabanjo. As a result of the investigation, a number of weapons were recovered from the suspect’s home addresses, including an intimation firearm and a number of bladed weapons.

In addition the police are working closely with the council to improve safety measures such as increased street lighting, removing unnecessary street furniture and the proposal of extra CCTV coverage.

Since the arrest of the alleged attackers, police say there has been a marked decrease in similar attacks in the De Beauvoir area. Police will be maintaining an increased presence within the area.