Met chief apologises to broadcaster Selina Scott amid her fury after mugging
She said she could not find a police officer to report the crime to in one of the busiest areas of the English capital and nearby West End Central police station was closed four years ago.
The day after the mugging officers failed to go to her home for a planned appointment because there was no available police car.
During a call-in on Nick Ferrari's show on LBC, Sir Mark Rowley was played a voice message from the former news anchor in which 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.
'There were too many of them and there were no police anywhere. So, I'm feeling today humiliated and angry, but most of all 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.
'So, here's my question, why when you can put police on the streets whenever anyone wants to shout their head off on a march, yet you can't patrol the centre of London to protect 1000s of people like me?
'And don't tell me you rely on CCTV, because I understand the camera outside Waterstones where I got mugged not only wasn't functioning, it had been out of order for over a year.'
Sir Mark admitted 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.'
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NBC News
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Without international scrutiny or legal intervention, individuals like Bella risk being left without even the most basic care, simply because of where they are.' The Mirror also heard from Kirsty Kitchen, Head of Policy at Birth Companions, a charity supporting women who face inequalities and disadvantages during pregnancy. Ms Kitchen warned that the organisation is "deeply concerned by reports that Bella May Culley has not been receiving appropriate medical care while held in Rustavi's prison number 5." She told us: "The United Nations' Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners, commonly known as the 'Bangkok Rules', are clear: pregnant women in prison must have access to healthcare that is equivalent to that which would receive in the community, along with a healthy environment, adequate nutrition, fresh water supplies, and regular exercise. "Yet the most recent inspection of the prison, carried out by the ombudsman of Georgia, found a range of issues with drinking water, proper ventilation, and long waits for medical services to address physical and mental health needs. "The UN rules also state that pregnant women should not be held in prison pre-trial, and should receive non-custodial sentences wherever possible. On these grounds, the refusal of Bella's application for bail, which would allow her to access maternity care in the community and have the support of her family, is a huge disappointment." Highlighting what needs to be done next, Ms Kitchen added: "We need to ensure her physical and mental health needs are being met, and work to secure her release from an environment that is clearly not a safe or appropriate place in which to navigate pregnancy." Bella was first arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on May 11, after being reported missing in Thailand. She has been accused of smuggling drugs into Georgia following her travels in South East Asia. Cannabis was legalised for recreational use in Georgia back in 2018, with limited possession also being decriminalised; however, the selling of cannabis remains illegal. The Mirror has approached the Georgian Ministry of Justice for comment.
