Broadcaster Selina Scott says she blames Sadiq Khan for her mugging
She received an apology from the head of the Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley after she said she could not find an officer to report the crime to, in an interview with the Telegraph saying she blames Sir Sadiq Khan for the incident.
'I actually blame the mayor of London,' Scott told the newspaper.
'More than I blame the police, actually, because the mayor of London took on the job to keep the people of London safe, the police come under him.'
Recounting the incident, she said she ran from Piccadilly to Leicester Square without finding a police officer, despite seeing 'all kinds of security officers'.
The nearby West End Central police station was closed four years ago and the day after the mugging officers failed to go to her home for a planned appointment because there was no available police car.
In June, Sir Mark admitted on Nick Ferrari's show on LBC that the force could have given the broadcaster a better service.
'I can feel for her. She's obviously very upset. She's a 70-odd-year-old lady who had a very frightening experience,' he said.
'The officers weren't able to give the service that we would expect on that day. I'm sorry about that.'
Scott said she had to walk miles home after the attack as the gang had taken her money.
She said: 'I would say to anyone walking through central London, put 20 quid in your shoe or down a sock or in your knickers or somewhere, because the worst thing was not having any money.
'I'm fairly fit, so I could walk, but I did try to get on a bus.'
After the attack, she told LBC she felt 'humiliated and angry'.
She added: 'But most of all (I'm feeling) fearful for all those who are listening to Nick's show and feel that they can walk the streets of London safely, because I'm telling you, they can't.'
'Everywhere you go there is security for well-known people, the royal family have security,' she told the Telegraph.
'The mayor of London has security. So what's different? Why doesn't the public have security? Why don't I get it?'
A spokeswoman for the mayor of London said: 'Nothing is more important to the Mayor than keeping Londoners safe. Sadiq is determined to do all he can to tackle crime and its complex causes, and build on progress that has been achieved in London, with the number of young people being injured with a knife down 26%, homicides down 17%, gun crime with lethal barrel discharges down 43% and burglary down 27% since 2016.
'The Mayor has doubled his annual investment in the Met Police from City Hall and will continue to invest record amounts in policing, as we know there is more to do. That is why, with City Hall funding, the West End will see a 50% increase in the number of police officers on the beat and an additional 90 police officers working in new or enhanced town centre teams in hotspot areas. These officers will focus on tackling shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and phone robbery.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
16 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Police make multiple arrests at Norwich protest supporting Palestine Action
The force said a group assembled outside City Hall in St Peters Street holding placards in support of Palestine Action. 'These people were all arrested on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000,' Norfolk Police said. 'Five of those arrested have been taken to Wymondham police investigation centre for questioning, where they remain. 'The remaining eight people were spoken to by officers and provided their details for further investigation. 'They were therefore de-arrested. 'A 14th person had their sign seized by officers during the protest and provided their details when requested.' Superintendent Wes Hornigold said: 'We will always work to facilitate peaceful protest and protect the democratic right to assembly, however the actions of this group were unlawful. 'Our officers' role is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community and they will use their powers to do this. 'Any breaches of the law will be dealt with.' The arrests came a day after the Metropolitan Police said a further 60 people will be prosecuted for support Palestine Action. The force said this followed the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was banned on July 5, including 522 in central London last Saturday. More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks, and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said. Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences under the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action. The three people charged were arrested at a protest in Parliament Square on July 5. Palestine Action was proscribed in July after the group claimed responsibility for damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton and was also linked to allegations of a serious assault on staff and police officers at a business premises in south Gloucestershire, the force said. Stephen Parkinson, director of public prosecutions, said: 'The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza. 'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act. 'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law. 'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. 'A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions. 'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. 'Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.'
Glasgow Times
16 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Police make multiple arrests at Norwich protest supporting Palestine Action
The force said a group assembled outside City Hall in St Peters Street holding placards in support of Palestine Action. 'These people were all arrested on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000,' Norfolk Police said. 'Five of those arrested have been taken to Wymondham police investigation centre for questioning, where they remain. 'The remaining eight people were spoken to by officers and provided their details for further investigation. 'They were therefore de-arrested. 'A 14th person had their sign seized by officers during the protest and provided their details when requested.' Superintendent Wes Hornigold said: 'We will always work to facilitate peaceful protest and protect the democratic right to assembly, however the actions of this group were unlawful. 'Our officers' role is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community and they will use their powers to do this. 'Any breaches of the law will be dealt with.' The arrests came a day after the Metropolitan Police said a further 60 people will be prosecuted for support Palestine Action. The force said this followed the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was banned on July 5, including 522 in central London last Saturday. More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks, and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said. Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences under the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action. The three people charged were arrested at a protest in Parliament Square on July 5. Palestine Action was proscribed in July after the group claimed responsibility for damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton and was also linked to allegations of a serious assault on staff and police officers at a business premises in south Gloucestershire, the force said. Stephen Parkinson, director of public prosecutions, said: 'The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza. 'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act. 'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law. 'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. 'A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions. 'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. 'Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.'
South Wales Guardian
16 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Police make multiple arrests at Norwich protest supporting Palestine Action
The force said a group assembled outside City Hall in St Peters Street holding placards in support of Palestine Action. 'These people were all arrested on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000,' Norfolk Police said. 'Five of those arrested have been taken to Wymondham police investigation centre for questioning, where they remain. 'The remaining eight people were spoken to by officers and provided their details for further investigation. 'They were therefore de-arrested. 'A 14th person had their sign seized by officers during the protest and provided their details when requested.' Superintendent Wes Hornigold said: 'We will always work to facilitate peaceful protest and protect the democratic right to assembly, however the actions of this group were unlawful. 'Our officers' role is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community and they will use their powers to do this. 'Any breaches of the law will be dealt with.' The arrests came a day after the Metropolitan Police said a further 60 people will be prosecuted for support Palestine Action. The force said this followed the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was banned on July 5, including 522 in central London last Saturday. More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks, and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said. Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences under the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action. The three people charged were arrested at a protest in Parliament Square on July 5. Palestine Action was proscribed in July after the group claimed responsibility for damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton and was also linked to allegations of a serious assault on staff and police officers at a business premises in south Gloucestershire, the force said. Stephen Parkinson, director of public prosecutions, said: 'The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza. 'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act. 'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law. 'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. 'A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions. 'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. 'Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.'
