A PARENT concerned about mutggings is trying to launch a campaign to encourage society to stand up to gangs whom she feels are going unpunished. Samantha Croft from Park Street has become increasingly worried about the number of muggings and assaults she

A PARENT concerned about mutggings is trying to launch a campaign to encourage society to stand up to gangs whom she feels are going unpunished.

Samantha Croft from Park Street has become increasingly worried about the number of muggings and assaults she had heard of in St Albans, especially those involving teenagers.

Her son has been robbed of his mobile phone on three occasions over the past three years, the most recent being in Holywell Hill last month when he and two friends were approached by a 12-strong gang.

On one occasion she went looking for one of the gangs responsible in Verulamium Park and stopped people she didn't know who each told her that they were aware of the same thing happening to someone they knew.

Samantha, aged 40, now wants to raise awareness about the situation and is appealing for other like-minded people to contact her to help establish an action plan.

She fears that a large amount of the crime is going unreported and youngsters are not providing statements because they are afraid of repercussions.

She said: "People aren't coming forward, I know. These are not just little kids being kids - this is becoming endemic and has to be addressed.

"We are bigger than this. We need to stop these bullies because they will always be bullies when they have got a victim and until we stop being victims and address the issue it will continue."

To gauge the real scale of the problem, Samantha is hoping to visit all of the secondary schools in the district to get the students to fill out anonymous forms about whether they have ever been beaten up or mugged.

She feels that part of the problem is there is not enough for youngsters to do in the area.

She said about the thugs: "They are trying to be pack animals but if you get most of them individually they are nice enough kids."

If anyone can help Samantha in her campaign or speak to her about their own experiences they are asked to contact her on 07877 389166 or by e-mail on croftfamily13@btinternet.com