Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Spotty showers; coldNews
| 
Submit Comments
HOLIDAY nightmare ... Ann Smith and Michael Bamford
advertisement
Police add to couple's New Delhi nightmare
Bethan Dorsett12/ 1/2008
A BELFIELD man has described the moment his dream holiday turned into a nightmare at the hands of a knife-wielding gang.
Michael Bamford and his partner, Ann Smith, were just days into their three-week trip to India when, in New Delhi, they came face-to-face with the violent muggers, who took their passports and visas.
But the ordeal only got worse for the Albert Royds Street couple when the police refused to believe their story.
“As we came out of a restaurant, the owners pulled the shutters down and we realised the market had closed and many of the street lights had shut down,” said 55-year-old Mr Bamford.
“We started to walk down the street when this guy approached with a knife in his hand.
“I told Ann to look out and began to run away, but two other lads came behind us. The man with the knife slit the strap to Ann’s bag and dragged me away.
“But when she went to grab the bag she was thrown to the floor and they started stamping on her back. He kept taunting her with the knife.”
The men ran off with the bag, containing the couple’s passports and visas, while locals rushed to help the couple.
They then contacted the police but were shocked at their response.
“We were told there ‘was no crime in New Dehli’ and that we’d have to report it as a lost bag,” he said.
“We went to the British High Commission, but were told that if we did it their way we would experience less problems.
“It meant that we had to spend days queuing up to get new passports and visas, which cost us £300.”
Determined to continue their holiday, even though Ms Smith had been left severely bruised by the attack, the couple went on to visit other parts of India before changing their schedule and heading to Dubai.
“It felt like we were going from the worst country in the world to the best,” he added.
“I can’t believe the way the police swept what happened to us under the carpet.
“But I am just thankful that we were not seriously hurt.
“They could have stabbed Ann.”
Most recent 2 of 7 user comments
16/01/2008 at 09:56
Got an opinion you want to share?| Card | BT Fee |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Capital One Low Rate Balance Transfer | 1.7% |
| Capital One Low Rate Platinum | HASH(0x2b600cc3ca80) |
| Capital One Fixed Rate Card | 0.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.6% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
5.50% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
4.00% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
2.75% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER Online Tracker |
6.00% |
|
ABBEY Instant Access Saver (Special Issue 2) |
6.00% |
|
ING DIRECT Savings Account |
6.00% |
|
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER eSaver - Issue 2 |
6.30% |
|
ABBEY eSaver Direct |
6.00% |
|
POST OFFICE Instant Saver |
3.75% |
24/04/2008 at 12:36