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'SAFE STREETS' CAMPAIGNER GETS MUGGED
‘Pillar of community’ attacked in daylight by handbag snatcher
A SENIOR Labour Party worker – who was pressing for streets to be made safer – has been brutally attacked in daylight by a robber who grabbed her handbag.
Carol Clinton, 61, whose late husband Alan was Labour leader of Islington Council in the 1990s, was taken to the National Hospital for Neurology in Bloomsbury with cuts and a fractured skull. She was said to be recovering yesterday (Thursday).
Mrs Clinton was found lapsing in and out of consciousness in a pool of blood outside Caxton House Community Centre, off St John’s Way, Archway.
The attack happened at 3.30pm on Tuesday as cars and buses passed by. Mrs Clinton, who like her husband devoted most of her life to the Labour movement, retired last week as Islington North party agent.
The incident has happened at a time when Mrs Clinton herself was expressing concern about rising street crime and residents had reported an increase in muggings in the area.
Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said he was appalled by the attack and hoped Mrs Clinton would make a full recovery.
Islington opposition Labour leader Councillor Catherine West said the attack happened as Mrs Clinton was on her way to a meeting of Elthorne Regeneration group, of which she is secretary, at Caxton House.
Cllr West added: “It’s dreadful that you can’t go out in the middle of the afternoon without the risk of attack.”
She criticised the council’s recent independent Crime Commission report for not doing more to tackle street crime.
The attack took place at Caxton House, where three years ago hundreds of mourners, including Margaret Hodge, another former Labour council leader, who is now a government minister, paid tribute to Mr Clinton.
The council’s ruling Lib Dems have also expressed their shock at the attack.
Junction ward Lib Dem councillor Greg Foxsmith said the robbery happened in full view of a busy street. He added: “I’ve worked closely with Carol on the Elthorne Parklife group. She’s an extremely hard-working person and a pillar of the community. I wish her a speedy recovery.”
Tracy Willoughby, director of Elthorne Regeneration, said it was very sad that Mrs Clinton, who was committed to making the streets safer, should herself have been attacked.
She added: “She’s only a small lady. It was a cowardly attack. I understand that recently there has been a spate of muggings in St John’s Way, Hazelville Road and around the Elthorne Park area.
“I’m calling for extra police for our area so people can walk the streets in safety.”
She wants to see Caxton House better lit at night and CCTV cameras installed to provide extra security.
Last night (Thursday) an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbing and seriously assaulting Mrs Clinton. |
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