Met Police Chief Apologises to Selina Scott Over Poor Response After London Mugging

On June 24, 2025, the head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, publicly apologised to broadcaster Selina Scott. She was mugged by a gang in central London but said she could not find any police officers to help her. The attack happened near Waterstones bookshop on Piccadilly, one of the busiest spots in the city.

Selina Scott, 74, was hit on the back of her leg with a metal object. Her purse, containing cash and debit cards, was stolen. Despite the busy area, no police officers were nearby to assist her. Scott also said the West End Central police station closed four years ago, reducing local police presence.

The day after the mugging, officers failed to visit her home as planned because no police car was available. During a call-in on Nick Ferrari’s show on LBC radio, Sir Mark Rowley admitted the police did not provide the service expected. He said, “I can feel for her. She’s obviously very upset. She’s a 70-odd-year-old lady who had a very frightening experience. The officers weren’t able to give the service that we would expect on that day. I’m sorry about that.”

Scott had left a voice message for the programme describing the attack. She said, “I was mugged by a gang who hit me with a metal object at the back of my leg, before ripping open my bag and taking all my debit cards and cash. They sauntered off in the direction of the Ritz, and there was nothing I could do about it.”

She added, “There were too many of them and no police anywhere. I’m feeling humiliated and angry, but most of all fearful for all those who feel they can walk the streets of London safely, because I’m telling you, they can’t.”

Scott questioned why police can quickly respond to noisy protests but cannot patrol central London streets to protect everyday people. She also criticised the CCTV system, saying the camera outside Waterstones where she was mugged was out of order for over a year.

In previous comments, Scott described the attack as a “coordinated assault” by “seven or eight men and women of East Asian origin” who surrounded her and tugged at her backpack. She fought back but felt “battered, confused and a little humiliated.” She found refuge in Fortnum & Mason before realising her purse was missing.

Scott called the attack “brazen” and warned that muggers in London “can attack anyone.” She blamed the lack of police presence on the streets for the increase in such crimes, saying it leaves people without any deterrent against criminals.