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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
MP admits getting staff member to put down his Labrador with a shotgun
A former Reform MP has called himself a 'coward' after he had his pet dog shot to death with a shotgun. Rupert Lowe, who was a member of Nigel Farage's party until a high-profile clash with the leader earlier this year, decided against having his beloved 17-year-old Labrador put down at the vet after it lost the use of its back legs. Instead he reportedly told fellow MPs that he asked his gamekeeper Kevin to put dog Cromwell out of its misery with a shotgun on his Gloucestershire estate. Lowe, who now sits as an Independent, argued it was more humane for a dog to die in their own back yard than take them to a vet, where they can sense something is wrong and panic. The Great Yarmouth MP told the Mail on Sunday: 'My keeper shot our dog the other day. He was a labrador of 17. Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sign up here. 'Dogs do go through ups and downs for a bit, but in the end Cromwell's back legs went and our keeper Kevin very kindly did the job. 'Cromwell didn't go anywhere, he wasn't away from home and he wouldn't have known anything about it. So much kinder. 'They are not driven to the vet, they don't smell the vet, it's just all over very quickly.' Lowe said he would have been 'proud' to shoot his pet himself, but did not have the heart to do so. He added: 'I would find it difficult, which is why my keeper did it. So you can call me a coward on that basis, if you want. 'I've got friends who can shoot their dogs. [They] just take them on a walk, put a shooting rifle at the back of their head and bang, done. 'They don't feel anything. I would have found it hard. He was 17 and had been with us that long. 'I would be proud to tell you it was me who did it, [but] I can't claim that credit.' Cromwell was buried by a tennis court, next to Lowe's previous pets. The politician openly told his colleagues in Westminster about his decision, triggering debate among MPs about what to do with a sick pet. Elizabeth Davenport, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: 'It highlights a serious failing of animal protection in the UK. 'There is currently no legislation that protects dogs from this kind of 'at home' euthanasia – or indeed many other concerning practices. 'Legislation that does exist, such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006, only protects animals from 'unnecessary' harm but allows individuals – who may have no prior knowledge or experience of animal health and welfare – to decide what is or is not necessary.' Politicians have previously upended their political career by admitting their dog was shot to death. Over in the US, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem was a leading contender to be Donald Trump's vice-presidential running mate when she described shooting dead her pet. She decided that was the best outcome for her 14-month-old wirehair pointer called Cricket because of its 'aggressive personality'. More Trending The revelation in her memoir prompted a wave of backlash and she was ultimately not chosen to be Donald Trump's number 2. Lowe's decision differs from that of his former colleague Lee Anderson. The Reform chief whip posted on social media last December about having his West Highland terrier Alfie, also 17, put down by a vet. Anderson wrote: 'This morning Alfie went to sleep for the last time. All his pain has gone. He has left a massive hole.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Toddler, 3, has arm 'ripped open' after being mauled by cockapoo outside school MORE: Florida attorney general offers Trump 'Alligator Alcatraz' prison to hold immigrants MORE: Inside New York's 'Pigeon Fest' where impersonators battle for title
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
ITV legend 'traumatised' after being assaulted and robbed in daylight
Broadcaster Selina Scott has been left 'shattered and traumatised' after being attacked by a gang in London last week. The former ITV News at Ten anchor, 74, has revealed how she fought back during a terrifying attempted robbery in broad daylight. Recalling the incident, the Real Marigold Hotel star said she was leaving a branch of Waterstones in central London when she was struck on the back of her knee, leaving her feeling as if she had been 'stabbed'. Moments later, the gang attempted to snatch her designer backpack, which she tightly held onto, however one of the thieves unzipped it and removed her purse before running off. She lost her bank cards, driving licence, and cash in the robbery, which left her feeling 'embarrassed'. Another group then barged into her and she realised she was being 'attacked from both sides at the same time'. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Scott said the events were 'so swift and practised that it was clear it was a coordinated assault.' She explained: '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.' The presenter, who has interviewed the likes of King Charles and Donald Trump during her career, shared her frustration over the lack of police presence in the capital. '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.' A Met Police spokesman 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.' More Trending Scott originally worked as a journalist in Dundee before making her TV debut on the nightly news programme Grampian Today and later, regional show North Tonight. From there she went national as a newsreader for ITN in 1982 at the height of the Falklands War – with viewing figures soaring as a result of her fronting bulletins. Scott's star rose further as one of the launch team for BBC Breakfast, which began in January 1983. View More » She went on to make a name for herself across the pond, scoring her own chat show on US TV in the 90s before heading back here to front Sky's breakfast show. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Windrush activists rally government to save Notting Hill carnival MORE: Passengers beg to be rescued from train stuck with no air conditioning after 'slowly cooking' MORE: Family's plea for truth after man shot dead in 'case of mistaken identity'
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
London police charge seven Iranians with assault after embassy incident
LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - London police on Sunday said they had charged seven Iranians with grievous bodily harm after a reported fight at a protest near the embassy last week. London's Metropolitan Police said they had been alerted to an apparent fight outside the Iranian embassy on Friday, which local media reported occurred during a protest against the Iranian leadership. Police said eight people were arrested in connection with the incident, including one man who was in hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Another man was also hospitalised. "Seven of those arrested were charged with causing grievous bodily harm," police said in a statement. "All are Iranian nationals." Police said that they had been remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance on Monday. The eighth person was still in hospital and had been bailed, they added.
