Market stallholder hit after grabbing thief

Stolen: Pennsylvania Pyscho Ward shirts

A STALLHOLDER had a bottle smashed over his head in a brutal ‘steaming’ attack at Camden Market on Saturday afternoon.
More than a dozen teenagers stormed the 27-year-old man’s stall in Buck Street, grabbing eight orange Pennsylvania Pyscho Ward shirts and running off.
But when he caught up with them in Camden High Street, grabbing one of the thieves in a headlock, a bottle was smashed over his head.
A two-inch gash to his forehead went so deep his skull was visible.
Tests at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead showed his skull had not been fractured, as originally feared.
The stallholder, who wore a hat this week to cover his scar and asked not to be named, said: “They all ran up and grabbed as much as they could.
“But when I grabbed one of them they smashed the bottle over me.
“I touched my head and it felt wet and I saw I was bleeding.
“I hope the police find them. I know I won’t get my stock back but I don’t want to see this happening again.”
Police estimate about 15 youths were involved in the attack.
‘Steaming’ first came to public attention three years ago, after a series of mass muggings on trains and in the crowds at the Notting Hill Carnival. An attack was launched on a Silverlink Line train after last year’s carnival.
Until now it has not been a problem in Camden.
But stallholders say thefts are common at the tourist-friendly market.
On Sunday, three would-be thieves were caught as they targeted another Buck Street stall.
Security guards attended but police were not called.