February 22, 2006
Violent attacks filmed on phone
Violent footage of people being attacked at random has been found on the mobile phone of a 17-year-old boy, reports the BBC
"The phone was confiscated as part of the investigation into the killing of 18-year-old Triston Christmas in 2005. Triston's mother said a mobile phone video recording of him as he lay dying had been passed around his classmates.
Police never found footage of Triston, but did find 14 other assaults, in north or east London, and want the victims to come forward. They think the assaults were deliberately staged for filming.
Every phone incident captured is incredibly violent. ... People being punched, kicked, slapped and mugged by a laughing, taunting gang.
Detective Chief Inspector Ellie O'Connor, who is investigating the videoed assaults at Barking and Dagenham CID, said: "We now need to identify the victims of these assaults in order to pursue a criminal investigation."
Faces have been pixillated so the victims cannot be identified by anyone else, but police say they will recognise themselves. They also want anyone who recognises the areas filmed to get in touch. "
Related article in today's This is London, giving more details of the footage and places the scenes of the crimes in either north or east London.
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