TV star Selina Scott viciously attacked and robbed by gang of eight in lawless London as she slams police
The former ITV news anchor says she tried to fight off the gang in Piccadilly
'shattered & traumatised' TV star Selina Scott viciously attacked and robbed by gang of eight in lawless London as she slams police
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
BROADCASTER Selina Scott was viciously attacked and robbed by a gang in broad daylight last week, she revealed.
The ex-ITV News at Ten anchor, 74, bravely fought back but said the ordeal left her 'shattered and traumatised'.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Selina Scott says she was robbed after being attacked by a gang in London
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
She said she was leaving a Waterstones in Piccadilly, Central London, when she was struck on the back of her right knee and thought she had been stabbed.
A gang of around seven or eight men and women, in expensive sportswear and seemingly of East Asian origin, who were in front of her then turned and hemmed her in.
They tried to grab her designer backpack, which she tightly held onto.
Another group then barged into her and she realised she was being 'attacked from both sides at the same time'.
Selina managed to keep hold of the bag when she fought back and the gang walked off laughing.
She later realised they managed to unzip the bag and take her purse, which had her driving license, cards and cash.
Ms Scott, a TV icon since the 1980s who famously interviewed Donald Trump, slammed the lack of police presence to deter or catch the criminal thugs.
She said she walked 'up and down some of London's busiest central areas' and did not see a single officer.
The journalist wrote in the Mail on Sunday that the events were 'so swift and practised that it was clear it was a coordinated assault."
She added: 'I was right by a busy bus stop, although no one would have known what was going on.
"It was slick, brief and clearly engineered to happen in the middle of a crowd.
'I still feel shattered after what has happened. I can't believe it happened to me.
'I'm mentally resilient and physically fit, but if they can attack me in such a brazen way they can attack anyone.
'You're left feeling not just traumatised, but stupid that you have somehow let it happen.
'I'm also furious about the lack of police on our streets. No wonder the gang who set about me have a sense of impunity - they can do anything they want because they know no one will stop them.'
She suffered bruising to her leg but said she was relieved they did not use a knife.
The Met Police said: 'While we understand that the victim was frustrated that she couldn't see any police officers on the street, a significant number of officers patrol the West End every day - not just in uniform on foot, but also in plain clothes and in vehicles to have the best opportunity to identify and apprehend suspects.
'We would be happy to talk to the victim to better understand her concerns.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dubai-based gangster Ross McGill was a ‘promising athlete' coached by Tory MSP
McGill quit track sport after one appearance for his country when he was 17 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRUGS mob boss Ross McGill was a teen 100m ace who ran for Scotland, we can reveal. The hood, 31, who kicked off the country's bloody gangland turf war, was coached at Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, by ex-Olympian Brian Whittle, 61, now a Tory MSP. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Mob boss Ross McGill was a teen 100m ace who ran for Scotland 3 The hood, 31, was coached at Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire by ex-Olympian Brian Whittle, now a Tory MSP Credit: Alamy 3 BRAZEN mobsters have torched the cars of rival gang members But we can reveal McGill quit track sport after one appearance for his country when he was 17 — and is now a feared hood known as 'Miami' who sparked a bloody underworld turf war. McGill, 31, of East Kilbride, changed tack to get involved in drugs deals and mayhem more than a decade after he ran for Renfrewshire athletics club Kilbarchan. He set a highly impressive personal best time for 100m of just over 11 seconds while being trained by the former Team GB ace Mr Whittle. The MSP for South Scotland since 2016 said of McGill: 'I remember him as a decent athlete in his mid-teens with potential. 'But he did not stay in the training group for long.' We can reveal an image of a fresh-faced McGill wearing a Scotland vest at a meet in Antrim, Northern Ireland. A source said: 'He came second in the 100m at the Celtic games on August 13, 2011. 'He only represented Kilbarchan AC for one year then disappeared. It was very odd because at the time he seemed like he was going to be a really successful athlete. 'But people who knew him remember he did seem a lot more interested in Rangers than track and field.' McGill, exposed by us as the gang war Mr Big, went on to lead the Union Bears Rangers ultras and was pictured with ex-Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard. The INSIDE story of Scotland's biggest gangster - Jamie 'The Iceman' Stevenson He is said to be behind a mob called Tamo Junto who have been waging war against caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson, 38, and the notorious Daniel crime family. Insiders say dealers paid McGill in fake cash for a £500,000 cocaine deal after seeing him as 'a nobody'. Tamo Junto has claimed responsibility for firebombings and machete attacks in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Cops have made 48 arrests so far. Mr Whittle won 4x400m relay gold at two European Championships and competed at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Shambolic' policing & a gunman hellbent on massacre – how the Tunisia terror attack ‘changed lives forever'
The heartboken families of the victims of the Tunisian terror attack reflect on the life-changing horror ten years on DAY OF HORROR 'Shambolic' policing & a gunman hellbent on massacre – how the Tunisia terror attack 'changed lives forever' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DEVASTATED loved ones of a Scots couple slain ten years ago in the Tunisia terror attack revealed they are missed more than ever as the 'hurt' endures. Charlie and Mary Flockhart told of their heartbreak at being robbed of spending their golden years with Jim and Ann McQuire — among 38 killed when a gunman ran amok with a Kalashnikov he had hidden in a beach umbrella. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Charlie and Mary Flockhart told of their heartbreak at being robbed of spending their golden years with Jim and Ann McQuire 5 Jim and Ann McQuire, aged 66 and 63, from Cumbernauld Credit: PA 5 Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth in Scotland Credit: PA 5 Islamic State monster Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, who carried out the slaughter with the help of accomplices Credit: PA:Press Association 5 He was later shot dead by balaclava-clad cops The maniac slaughtered Mary's brother Jim, 66, and his wife Ann, 63, near a hotel swimming pool as they tried to flee the carnage. Fellow Scots Billy and Lisa Graham were also murdered on June 26, 2015, while on a break at the Port El Kantaoui resort to celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary. Islamic State monster Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, who carried out the slaughter with the help of accomplices, was later shot dead by balaclava-clad cops. Charlie, 75, told how he and Jim first bonded as teens over their love of music and became brothers-in-law when he married Jim's sister. Before the shattering events a decade ago the two couples, from Cumbernauld, had recently retired and had been looking forward to creating special memories together. Charlie said: 'We would have gone on holidays together and had days away. Jim had retired the year before, Ann had just retired. 'Mary and I had decided, right, that was us, we were retiring. 'Jim had started playing golf and Ann was a beautiful singer. 'We were seeing each other more or less daily. We were all within walking distance of each other. 'Then that happened, suddenly it all stops, the whole thing changes. Officials confirm beheaded woman among 3 killed by 'Tunisian migrant' with 12inch blade in Nice church terror attack 'Time gives you a bit more control but it still hurts.' Charlie and Mary recalled growing alarmed after being unable to get in touch with Jim and Ann that day while enjoying their own holiday in the Borders. They had quit work just two weeks earlier. And the couple's worst fears were realised when news broke of the massacre in North Africa. Charlie said: 'When it all happened, trying to get information was like trying to prise nails out of a piece of wood.' Govt alert on threat to visitors HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned that terror attacks in Tunisia remain 'very likely'. And the UK Foreign Office advises against going there. A formal state of emergency has been in place since a deadly strike on a police bus in the nation's capital Tunis in November 2015 — just months after the Sousse bloodshed. The UK Government told travellers: 'The terrorism threat comes from established groups and individuals. 'Despite some improvements in border security, there remains continuing instability and violence on the border with Libya. 'Security forces have been the primary target in terrorist-related incidents — mainly in border areas, including in the Chaambi Mountains.' Any Brits who do travel are advised to 'stay aware of surroundings at all times'. They later learned two men had risked their lives trying to save Jim, a former BAE engineer. It was discovered he had been left lying for 45 minutes on the steps of the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba hotel. And he was comforted in his final moments by fellow Scots holidaymaker Carol Harrison, a nurse at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The retiree lost his fight for life in the back of an ambulance while Ann, a former medical receptionist, died at the scene. Mary, 75, admitted: 'It's a day we will never forget. Jim and Ann are still in our memories daily.' The couple were survived by son Stuart, who later became dad to two kids — grandchildren they never got to meet. More than 400 people turned out for their funeral at Abronhill Parish Church in Cumbernauld. Charlie and Mary told how they hold all the victims close to their hearts — including Billy and Lisa, from Bankfoot, Perthshire. The couple had rushed into the hotel after hearing gunfire from the beach and were herded to apparent safety by staff. But, tragically, both were shot in the chest. Former squaddie Billy, 51, had worked as a turnstile operator at St Johnstone FC's McDiarmid Park. He served with 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and had returned home safely from tours of duty in Iraq, Kuwait and Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Lisa — affectionately known as 'sun goddess' — had been marking her 50th birthday on the trip. In the days after the atrocity, shattered resort staff were seen weeping at floral tributes left on the beach, near the city of Sousse. Tour operators axed holidays to the country while the Home Office advised tourists not to travel there. Coroner Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith later accused 'cowardly' Tunisian cops of delaying their arrival as the shooter ran riot. A 2017 inquest at the High Court in London heard: 'The police were responsible for tourism security. Their response could and should have been effective. 'The simple truth is that a gunman went to the hotel intent on killing as many tourists as he could. 'The response by the police was completely ineffective until the death of the gunman.' But he ruled against finding travel firm TUI at fault for 'neglect' despite their failures to carry out frequent security risk assessments. It emerged Rezgui had been supported by a terror cell. Four fellow jihadists were jailed for life at a Tunisian court in October 2019. Mary and Charlie told how they plan to remember Jim, Ann and the other victims by visiting a memorial to the tragedy in Birmingham. Memorial 'Wave' for 31 victims A SCULPTURE called Infinite Wave is the centrepiece of a memorial for victims. The artwork has 31 streams representing the 30 Brits who lost their lives in the beach massacre plus one killed in the Bardo museum attack in Tunis three months earlier. It was created by London and Gloucester-based George King Architects. They worked on the design with a panel after consultation with bereaved families. Ripples surrounding the waves represent the impact of the strikes on survivors and victims' relatives. The work was inspired by flowing water, frozen in place, to illustrate how time 'stood still' during the attacks. It took four months to complete using 316 stainless steel tubes. Prince Harry opened the memorial at Birmingham's Cannon Hill Park in 2019. The Cannon Hill Park sculpture, which has streams representing all the Brits who lost their lives, was unveiled by Prince Harry in 2019. Charlie told of the life-changing impact of the horror. He said: 'We've had ten years of retirement and, to be honest, the first five years were horrendous. 'It did put us off going abroad for a long time. We have since been away but not in that area. 'Seeing the memorial will help my wife to feel better. We haven't been back since it was erected. 'When you know an anniversary is coming up, you automatically start thinking about it. 'But when people die, you should not just forget them. You should remember they were here, they had a life, they did amazing things.' Survivors included Gina Van Dort, of Bushey, Herts, who was rushed to hospital after being shot in the face. She lost husband Chris Dyer, 32. Mary added: 'Our thoughts are with all of those who were, and still are, affected by the events ten years ago. We send them our love.'
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
ITV star, 74, 'traumatised' after assault and robbery in daylight by London gang
Selina Scott has revealed she was the victim of a calculated street robbery in central London and was attacked in broad daylight by a group posing as passers-by Veteran broadcaster Selina Scott has revealed she was assaulted and robbed in a frightening daylight ambush in central London. The former ITV News at Ten presenter, 74, recounted being surrounded and attacked by a group of up to eight people as she exited a Waterstones near Piccadilly. The assailants - described as wearing expensive sportswear and appearing East Asian - initially appeared to be ordinary passers-by before suddenly closing in. 'I was right by a busy bus stop, although no one would have known what was going on,' she wrote in the Mail on Sunday. 'It was slick, brief and clearly engineered to happen in the middle of a crowd.' Scott said she was struck behind the knee, initially believing she'd been stabbed, and found herself boxed in. As she clung tightly to her designer backpack, another group rammed into her from the other side. 'I was being attacked from both sides at the same time,' she said. Despite fighting back and holding onto the bag, the attackers managed to unzip it and flee with her purse, which contained cash, cards, and her driving licence. 'I still feel shattered after what has happened. I can't believe it happened to me,' she said. The ordeal has left her physically bruised but emotionally shaken. 'I'm mentally resilient and physically fit, but if they can attack me in such a brazen way they can attack anyone,' she said. 'You're left feeling not just traumatised, but stupid that you have somehow let it happen.' Scott, who famously interviewed Donald Trump during her long career in journalism, expressed outrage over what she sees as a visible absence of law enforcement in the capital. 'I walked up and down some of London's busiest central areas and didn't see a single officer,' she said. 'I'm also furious about the lack of police on our streets. No wonder the gang who set about me have a sense of impunity—they can do anything they want because they know no one will stop them.' The Metropolitan Police responded to the incident by defending their presence in the area, stating: 'While we understand that the victim was frustrated that she couldn't see any police officers on the street, a significant number of officers patrol the West End every day - not just in uniform on foot, but also in plain clothes and in vehicles to have the best opportunity to identify and apprehend suspects. We would be happy to talk to the victim to better understand her concerns.' Scott said she was ultimately relieved the gang did not use a knife - but remains deeply rattled by the experience. 'It was so swift and practised that it was clear it was a coordinated assault,' she said.
