Police urge caution after gay chatline muggings

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Police have urged users of gay chatlines to take care after two men in Haringey were robbed at knifepoint.

The men were robbed after being lured to a private place by someone they met on a gay chat line.

The two incidents, which police believe are linked, are being investigated and the police are working with Haringey LGBT network to publish advice on safely using these services.

Detective constable Michael Shipley of Haringey’s robbery squad said: “If you are arranging to meet with someone via a chat line or chat room, please exercise caution.

“You may have established an online phone friendship, but to all intents and purposes they are a stranger and should be treated as such.”

Shipley added: “Don’t rush into arranging to meet someone and don’t be pressurised into it. Most importantly, if you do decide to meet with someone, do so in a public place where there are CCTV cameras and other people.”

Haringey police are currently examining phone records and CCTV footage to help identify a suspect and have stated that they are treating the incidents very seriously, urging any other victims to come forward.

Anyone with information can telephone DC Shipley on 020 8345 0870, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact the Haringey LGBT network on 020 8889 9555 or via their website www.haringeyLGBTnetwork.org.uk
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