'My son was followed into our flat and robbed'

Sinead Masterson said children in Islington felt unsafe walking to school

"My son was followed home back in November by two boys. He was followed into our flat and robbed," said Sinead Masterson.

Ms Masterson, from Islington Concerned Parents UK, is one of many parents in the north London borough concerned about a spate of after-school robberies.

She was among a group of parents who marched through Islington on Saturday, stating that there was not enough policing support for children being targeted.

The Met Police said it had increased police patrols as children returned to school in January. Islington Council said it was working with the force.

Ms Masterson said that she organised a meeting with other concerned parents and local authorities after her son was robbed of his phone at knifepoint.

"We had quite a lot of police presence around that area, but we noticed that was for like a week," she said.

"Since going back in the new year, it hasn't been.

"The robberies have still been happening, children now feel unsafe to walk to school."

Parents at the march said there was not enough being done to tackle the issue

One mother at the march on Saturday told BBC London: "The kids in particular are being targeted on their way home. They're being mugged and they're just feeling unsafe."

A man at the protest added: "We don't feel like the police and the authorities are doing enough."

"It's becoming an everyday thing and it's scary," another woman added.

The Met Police said it was investigating the reported robberies in Islington.

Supt Jack May-Robinson said: "There has been a 34.3% reduction in the number of robberies in Islington over the past four weeks when compared with the previous four week period.

"We increased police patrols as children returned to school in January and implemented powers under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act to enable officers to disperse people, as they worked to prevent children being robbed."

Islington Council said it was working with the Met, whose "targeted operation in response to these robberies has seen a significant drop-off in offences in the area".

It added: "We've also secured funding to support vulnerable children at risk of robbery in those critical hours between 15:00 to 18:00.

"We recognise the physical and emotional toll these crimes take on victims and their families, and it's heartening to see our community's determination to address this issue head-on.

"While challenges remain, it's vital that we keep working together."