Mugging gang faces curfew

A gang of teenage muggers who prey on commuters in Lewisham could be banned from going out at night.

Thirteen members of the so-called Nunhead Terrorists, believed to be behind a spate of street robberies, face being the country's first subjects of legislation giving local authorities the power to impose curfews between 9pm and 6am.

The gang have been targeting users of Nunhead station and are also linked with beatings, arson and vandalism on nearby council estates.

Jane Taylor, of Lewisham's anti-social behaviour unit, confirmed steps had been taken to secure child curfew orders, with a final decision on whether to apply to the Home Office to rubberstamp-them likely to follow a series of public meetings beginning this week. The power to apply curfew orders was extended to all children under 16 by the government last August.

Sean King, 32, has already moved out of the area. He said: "I just can't bring up my children here any more. You see the gangs hanging about. They seem to be after mobile phones."

Razmi Patel, 49, who has run the Londis corner shop for 20 years, said of the curfew plan: "They need the parents' co-operation, otherwise it just won't work."