Searle behind bars

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following attempted robbery in March

Keith Searle, 31 year old unemployed of Pottern Close, Wandsworth, appeared at Kingston CC on Wednesday, 14 June 2006, where he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was sentenced to three-years imprisonment.

On 22 March 2006 at approx 18:35 hours, two police officers were patrolling in a marked police van in Garratt Lane when they were flagged down by a young man who stated that a man armed with a knife was trying to rob Daisy’s Fried Chicken takeaway on Garratt Lane.

On entering the takeaway shop, one of the officers saw that there were no customers inside. His attention was drawn to behind the serving counter, where Searle was holding a knife to the stomach of a 16-year-old employee, demanding that he open the cash till. They were both unaware of the officer’s presence.

The officer was joined by his colleague and they both calmly approached Searle. Searle followed the officers’ clear instructions and slowly removed the knife away from the victim and placed it on the counter. The victim was then able to back away from the suspect.

As the sole entrance of getting to the staff side of the counter would mean losing sight of Searle, one of the officers climbed over the counter and placed him in handcuffs.

Detective Constable Peter Atkinson from Wandsworth Priority Crime said:

“This case demonstrates the determination of the Priority Crimes Unit to successfully prosecute those who commit violent robberies. The victim, a 16 year-old student working at the venue, was clearly traumatised by this incident, and unfortunately has been unable to work since.

“I would like to praise the officers who were first on the scene for the professionalism they displayed. I would also like to thank the Witness Care Unit for the subsequent service they provided the victim who was clearly traumatized by this incident and unfortunately has been unable to work since”.

June 30, 2006