'You don't expect this to happen'

Camilla, 30, from North Clapham, works for a television company and is married to David, 37, a graphic designer. She is a victim of one of the new methods of carjacking - ambushed by a gang of men when she slowed down for sleeping policemen.

"I grew up in the Lake District where you never ever saw any crime. Then, at 18, I moved to Deptford - and my God, it was dodgy!

"A friend of mine witnessed a bank robbery and was never the same again. New Cross, where I moved to next, wasn't much better. Two teenage girls pulled a knife on me on a bus.

"It was daylight and loads of people witnessed it, but did nothing. It was frightening, but I've never felt as vulnerable as I do now, living in Clapham. I've been here for over five years.

"The high street's heaving with young people with money and property prices have doubled over the past three years. A two-bedroom house with a garden costs over £300,000, and Ferndale Road, where we live, is full of couples with good jobs.

"I use public transport and my car to get around, and bought a new silver Peugeot 206 three years ago. I thought it was safe, until 25 October last year.

"It was 10.30pm, and I set out to pick up my husband in Clapham. I was on Ferndale Road, slowing down for speed bumps, when a black guy in his early 20s walked into the road. I thought he might have been drunk.

"Then in a split second, five other guys appeared from nowhere and surrounded me. They must have been hiding behind parked cars. At first, I thought they were having a laugh, but one opened my door and the others jumped in the back. They were all black, in their 20s, and smartly dressed in designer sportswear.

"They were calm and cool - but I felt that had I resisted, it could have got nasty, so I let them have what they wanted. I undid my seatbelt and was guided out of the car. I left my coat behind and my handbag with my wallet, keys, mobile, Filofax and a bit of jewellery. The guys burst out laughing and drove off.

"I was too shocked to speak. I just stood there thinking, 'Oh my God.' I was terrified they'd come back for me so I bashed on a few doors and a neighbour let me in. I burst into tears. We had our locks changed, and I stayed up all night, freaking out. You don't expect this to happen in London - Cape Town, maybe.

"I worried that they'd come and find me, as my home and work addresses were in my bag, so we moved to a hotel in Green Park for the weekend. Then on Saturday the police phoned to say they'd found two men driving our car in Brixton.

"That night, I woke up in a hot sweat with a racing heart. I was frightened and tearful. I thought maybe their mates would come and find me. For six weeks I was a nervous wreck. I had to attend two identity parades - but couldn't identify the men. We got the car back, undamaged, and I started driving again.

"Now, as soon as I get in the car, I put the locks on, and if people cross the road near me, I feel anxious.

"I'm scared to walk on my own and won't go to the corner shop if it's dark. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder. I have bad dreams and I'm still paranoid that they'll find me, which is why I'm talking anonymously.

"It feels like the city is on a knife-edge, and anything can happen at any time.

Interview by Catherine Bassindale