'Mock muggings' to tackle crime

Mock muggings should be staged across the UK to test the public's willingness to aid victims and report crimes, a charity has said.

The group Witness Confident says it wants to challenge a "walk-on-by" culture to street crime.

It says that the recent rise in street violence can only be reversed if more people believe they can make a difference and that individuals should take greater steps to act if they witness a crime, particularly street violence.



They should call for help, use mobiles to photograph or film incidents and more actively find the local police.

Guy Dehn, head of the charity, said it had come up with a dozen ways that people could quickly make a difference. These include faking incidents in broad daylight to see how people react.

"Mock muggings can be a way of working with the police to test public reaction," said Mr Dehn. "Don't be a have-a-go-hero unless you really know what you are doing. But if you are there and can take a photo safely, then that can make the difference."