Veteran broadcaster Selina Scott, aged 74, has spoken out about her recent mugging in London’s West End, describing the capital’s streets as unsafe. The incident occurred near Waterstones on Piccadilly, where Ms Scott said she was attacked by a gang who struck her on the back of the leg with a metal object before stealing her purse containing debit cards and cash. She recounted feeling “humiliated and angry” and expressed deep concern for those who believe London to be safe for everyday walking.

Ms Scott criticised the police response to the incident, highlighting that she was unable to find any officers nearby to report the crime. She pointed out that the West End Central police station, once serving this busy area, had been closed four years ago. Moreover, she revealed that a planned follow-up appointment with the police at her home did not take place, with officers citing a shortage of available police vehicles as the reason for their absence. She also condemned reliance on CCTV for crime detection, noting that the camera outside Waterstones had been out of order for over a year.

The response from the Metropolitan Police has been one of apology and acknowledgement of shortcomings. Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police chief, said he could understand Ms Scott’s distress following the frightening attack on a vulnerable older woman. He admitted the officers on duty that day failed to provide the expected level of service and apologised for the inadequate response. Sir Mark’s remarks came during a live call-in on LBC’s Nick Ferrari show, where Scott’s voice message detailing her experience was played.

Ms Scott raised a pointed question about policing priorities, contrasting the visible police presence during public protests with the apparent lack of patrols in London’s central areas to protect ordinary citizens. Her criticism taps into broader concerns about public safety and policing shortages amid rising crime rates in the capital. The closure of local police stations and reliance on limited resources have been widely debated, with many citizens feeling vulnerable as a result.

This incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by the Metropolitan Police in balancing resource allocation, visible community policing, and rapid response to street crime. The high-profile nature of Ms Scott’s case has reignited discussions about how best to ensure safety in London’s busiest districts, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents. While the police acknowledge the need for improvement, the public waits to see concrete steps to restore confidence in the city’s law enforcement and deter such brazen crimes.

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Source: Noah Wire Services