The Metropolitan Police boss Sir Mark Rowley was forced to apologise to ITV broadcaster Selina Scott during a live radio show.
Sir Rowley heard how Scott was told by police officers that they were unable to meet her after she was attacked and robbed because they did not have a car available.
The 60-year-old Met boss was grilled about the incident by Nick Ferrari on his LBC show and went on to admit that the police force should have done more for the broadcaster, 74.
The veteran ITV journalist detailed how she was surrounded and attacked by a gang of thieves in broad daylight in a busy part of central London.
Scott said she was hit on the back of the leg and her bag was lunged at near the Waterstones shop in Piccadilly. Yet Scott fought back and was able to hold onto her bag, even as the muggers unzipped it and made off with her purse.
The gang of thieves took her bank cards, driving licence, and cash in the robbery, after which she was told there were no police officers nearby to report the crime.
Police officers then did not arrive during a scheduled visit to Scott’s home the next day, as the force said there was not an available cop car for them to use.
Sir Rowley appeared on Ferrari’s LBC call-in show and was played a voice note from Scott, in which she detailed the horror incident.
She said: ‘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 thousands 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 Rowley admitted that the police force could have done better by the broadcaster after the attack.
‘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.
Yet Ferrari was left unimpressed by the Met Police boss’s response and pressed him, asking: ‘Can’t they get an Uber?’
Sir Mark then apologised, replying: ‘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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