Key Points
- Masked gang robs DPD driver in Hanwell.
- Driver threatened at knifepoint during attack.
- Cash and phone stolen from courier vehicle.
- Incident occurred late evening in 2026.
- Police launch manhunt for three suspects.
Hanwell (Extra london News) February 19, 2026 – A DPD delivery driver was ambushed and robbed at knifepoint by a gang of masked men in a shocking late-night attack in Hanwell, west London, heightening concerns over violence against couriers in the capital. The incident, which unfolded on a quiet residential street, has prompted a swift police response amid a reported uptick in similar crimes targeting delivery workers. Authorities have appealed for witnesses as the investigation intensifies.
What happened during the DPD driver robbery in Hanwell?
The robbery took place around 10:30 PM on February 17, 2026, when the DPD driver, identified as Mohammed Rahman, pulled over on Greenford Avenue in Hanwell to check his delivery schedule. As reported by Sarah Jenkins of Ealing Gazette, a group of three masked individuals emerged from the shadows, surrounding Mr Rahman’s van before one brandished a knife. The assailants, described as wearing balaclavas and dark clothing, fled on foot after seizing approximately £200 in cash, Mr Rahman’s iPhone, and his delivery scanner. This account aligns with CCTV footage reviewed by Metropolitan Police, which captured the gang’s hurried escape towards Hanwell Broadway. No arrests have been made, but forensic teams combed the scene overnight, recovering a discarded glove potentially linked to the suspects.
Expanding on the sequence, as detailed by David Brooks of MyLondon, the driver had just completed a late delivery round typical for DPD’s evening operations in the Ealing borough. The attack lasted less than two minutes, underscoring the brazen nature of the crime in a family-oriented neighbourhood known for its parks and schools. Mr Rahman, a 34-year-old father of two who has worked for DPD for five years, sustained minor cuts to his hand while defending his possessions but refused hospital treatment on site.
Who is the victim in the Hanwell masked gang robbery?
Mohammed Rahman, the targeted DPD driver, hails from east London and has been delivering parcels in the Hanwell area for over half a decade. Colleagues at the DPD depot in Southall rallied around him the following morning, launching a collection for a replacement phone.
As noted by The Evening Standard journalist Liam Foster, Mr Rahman is one of thousands of self-employed couriers navigating London’s streets daily, often alone and vulnerable during peak demand periods.
DPD issued an official response, confirming support for their contractor: “We are deeply saddened by this violent incident and are working closely with the police. The safety of our drivers remains our top priority.”
Community figures have praised Mr Rahman’s composure. Mr Rahman’s family expressed relief at his narrow escape, with his wife declining to comment publicly but reportedly urging him to take time off. Investigators suspect the robbery was opportunistic, preying on the visibility of delivery vans laden with parcels during evening hours. This incident fits a pattern, with similar attacks reported across west London in early 2026, including a Hermes courier mugged in nearby Perivale last month.
Data from Scotland Yard indicates a 15% increase in street robberies in Ealing borough year-on-year, with couriers disproportionately affected.
DPD’s internal review, as leaked to Delivery News UK by insider anonymous source, highlights inadequate lighting on Greenford Avenue as a factor. Broader context from the Courier and Logistics Union reveals 2026 as a peak year for such incidents, with over 50 reported nationwide.
How did police respond to the Hanwell DPD robbery?
Metropolitan Police were alerted at 10:45 PM via a 999 call from Mr Rahman himself. House-to-house inquiries yielded two additional witness statements, including from a night-shift worker who spotted the suspects discarding items in a nearby alley.
Forensic evidence includes fingerprints lifted from the van door and the aforementioned glove, submitted for DNA analysis.
PC Elena Vasquez, the first responder, detailed in her logbook accessed by Ealing Today editor Mark Thompson: “The victim was shaken but cooperative, providing clear descriptions: all males, aged 18-25, one with a distinctive tattoo on his hand.”
A dedicated incident room at Ealing Police Station now coordinates the manhunt, with increased patrols deployed.
Superintendent Raj Patel, leading the operation, announced to Channel 4 News journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy: “We’re reviewing over 20 CCTV angles from local shops and buses. Public appeals could be key.”
Crimestoppers has offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to arrests, publicised via social media.
What do witnesses say about the masked gang in Hanwell?
Eyewitness accounts paint a vivid picture of the chaos.
A dashcam from a passing Uber driver, Mr Ali Hassan, captured partial footage shared with Sky News: “They looked coordinated, not random thugs. The leader barked orders in what sounded like slang-heavy English.”
These descriptions have been circulated in police e-fits, released publicly by Detective Inspector Sarah Mills via MyEaling news site.
Local shopkeeper Rajesh Kumar, whose store CCTV overlaps the scene, informed Evening Standard photographer-embedded reporter Tina Walsh: “They avoided main roads, cutting through my back alley. I wish I’d installed better lights.”
Consistency across testimonies strengthens the case for a known local gang. This attack is part of a worrying cluster.
February 5 saw an Evri courier targeted in Southall, with MyLondon’s David Brooks reporting: “Suspects matched Hanwell descriptions, fleeing on e-bikes.”
