Violent crime in Britain

This is a collection of stories from Britain over a 2-day period, testifying to an increasing lawlessness and moral breakdown. It could be easily replicated with similar stories from New Zealand or Australia - or anywhere.

This violence and violence against women is part of economic, social, political collapse of societies and parallels the domination of the male-dominated paradigm and the rape of the earth

Thanks to Lee Deathcare Nelson for these stories.

I ran from the club not realising I’d been shot… then I collapsed and saw a big hole in my leg’

Girl celebrating her 18th birthday tells how gunman opened fire in packed venue

London Evening Standard,

7 January, 2013

A teenager has told how she was shot by a gunman who fired into a crowd of revellers at a London nightclub.

Ra Ra Makaveli was celebrating her 18th birthday at Crystals in Wembley on the night before New Year’s Eve and was standing next to the man believed to have been the intended target. Ms Makaveli had been with friends when the shooting happened at about 4am.

As the shots rang out, she fled into the street, not realising she had been hit.

The bullet entered her leg and went through her buttocks and groin before exiting from her thigh.

She was at home today recovering from her wounds after surgery at hospital on New Year’s Day.

Ms Makaveli said: “There was a big flash and people started running out. Everyone was trying to squeeze through one door and stepping over each other. I ran out with them not realising I had been shot but collapsed when I got outside and when I lifted my dress I saw a big hole in my leg.

“I was initially told I had been hit by a firework but when I got to the hospital the police told me I had been shot.

“I was in a lot of pain but I didn’t cry until the news was broken to me that I had been shot. I am lucky to be alive. Who would believe someone could go out for their birthday and be shot?”

In a scene Ms Makaveli described as being “out of a Western”, the gunman doggedly pursued his target outside the club. “I’m amazed no one else was hit,” she said.

Ms Makaveli added: “I have never been to Crystals before and I was really looking forward to it. I had my new outfit, hair and shoes and it was supposed to be a fun night.

“If people have a beef with each other they need to take it outside. Not involve other people. This will stay with me forever. I’m having nightmares and trouble sleeping but know I am lucky to be here and able to say what happened.”

Two other women needed treatment for injuries caused by falling glass.

Detectives in Brent believe the gunman fled in a vehicle.

The Met obtained a closure notice on Crystals so it could not reopen on New Year’s Eve. Its owner has agreed to keep the venue closed until later this month.

Three men, aged 24, 27 and 33, were arrested on suspicion of GBH and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and later bailed.

Police reassure community after Seaton Burn shooting

BBC,

7 January, 2013

A senior police officer has sought to reassure people living near the scene of a shooting in a pub car park.

A 54-year-old man was shot in the back at the Six Mile Bridge Inn, Seaton Burn, North Tyneside, on Friday.

Northumbria Police said the incident was not being treated as a random attack and was believed to be part of internal disputes between criminals.

Eight people - seven men and a woman - have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

The man is being treated in hospital where his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Five men, aged 21, 22, 23, 47 and 52, and a 25-year-old woman who were arrested have now been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Another two men, aged 34 and 47, arrested on Sunday have also now been bailed.

Assistant Chef Constable Jim Campbell said: "I must stress these types of incidents are relatively rare in the Northumbria Police area and the level of gun crime in our region is very low when compared to other largely populated areas."

Police patrols are being carried out in the area to reassure the community.

Mr Campbell said: "This incident is not being treated as a random attack and is believed to involve internal disputes between criminals in the area."

He said they "would not tolerate these incidents" and would "come down heavily" on anyone involved.

Man is shot in 'targeted attack' in Stockbridge Village

BBC,

5 January, 2013

A man has been shot in a "targeted attack" in Merseyside, police said.

The 21-year-old was injured when shots were fired at the Ploughman pub on Marled Hey in Stockbridge Village at about 21:00 GMT.

He was taken to hospital with thigh injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

Officers are keen to trace a man seen on foot in the area at the time who was wearing a white round neck jumper and a hat. His face was covered.

Woman threatened with a handgun at Verwood supermarket

BBC,

5 January, 2013

A 59-year-old woman has been threatened with a handgun during an attempted robbery in Dorset, police say.

The incident took place in Morrisons car park on Chiltern Drive, Verwood, on Friday evening.

A man aged about 30 to 40 threatened a woman and demanded money as she was getting into her car. She screamed and he fled the scene.

The suspect is described as white, of medium build, with a northern accent, wearing a black woollen hat and gloves.

'No link'

Officers said they were not linking this incident to an armed robbery at a post office in Highcliffe on 18 December, or to two armed robberies and a kidnapping in Hampshire.

A robber held a man at gunpoint at Brockenhurst railway station on 5 December.

And on 14 December, police believe the same man drove a woman around Lymington at gunpoint after raiding her home.

Police said they were "keeping an open mind" as to whether the Highcliffe robbery was linked to the Lymington and Brockenhurst incidents.