Friend attacked in London

WolfSong2000

Not sure if this is the correct board for this, but it's in regards to a friend, so I guess comes under relationships!

A work friend of mine got really viciously mugged in London over the weekend - in Temple, so not the worst area of London, either. He's a big guy - at least 6'4", but some b*stard came up from behind and knocked him out cold, stealing his phone and, apparently, beating him whilst he was unconscious. Left his wallet, though?

What gets me is no one stopped to see if he was okay. Not one person. He also hasn't been to the doctor (but has filed a police report), which concerns me, but he's a grown man, can't force him to do anything.

The poor guy is (understandably) very shaken up. I've offered him the spare room at mine, but it's not a long-term solution, even if he does take me up on the offer.

I just feel so sorry for the guy...didn't know what to say to him when I found out (first I knew of it was today when I saw him with grazes all over his face).

I guess this is just more a vent than anything...am just so shocked it happened. Police are useless - told him chances of finding attacker were basically nill and apparently didn't seem particularly interested, but the thing that really gets me is that no one stopped to help him

geri1965_2

I've been in that situation - I got hit over the head with a bottle, and blood was pouring from the wound, but nobody stopped or offered to help/take me to A&E.

Even the police didn't give a rat's backside.

It might be worth your friend talking to Victims Support. I thought I didn't need help, but a few years later when I was in the same place that it happened I just broke down.

whitewing

Would he/you be able to phone NHS Direct while you are together? That may prompt him to then go to the doctor.

If he filed a police report did anyone with medical training look at him then to log the injuries/do some first aid.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow

Yes, that's London for you:(

I hope your friend makes a speedy recovery.

Mojisola

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Police are useless - told him chances of finding attacker were basically nill and apparently didn't seem particularly interested, but the thing that really gets me is that no one stopped to help him

I think it's awful that no-one stopped to help. I always think "If that was me or one of my family, I'd want someone to help" so I always help others.

I think the police were being realistic rather than useless. Even if they could find the attacker on cctv, what's the betting that all they'd see is a hooded figure dressed in dark clothes?

Nicki

Temple is not a residential area though. It is right in the heart of the legal quarter, so most of the buildings are either barristers chambers, which are closed at the weekend, or shops or offices which are also closed, or the Royal Courts of Justice (guess what, closed too) so I would not really expect there to be any/many people around at the weekend. Even though it is in central London, depending on exactly which street it happened on and the time of day it is perfectly possible that no one walked or drove down that street during the attack or afterwards. If it happened on the Sunday even more likely that this is the case.

victory

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Not sure if this is the correct board for this, but it's in regards to a friend, so I guess comes under relationships!

A work friend of mine got really viciously mugged in London over the weekend - in Temple, so not the worst area of London, either. He's a big guy - at least 6'4", but some b*stard came up from behind and knocked him out cold, stealing his phone and, apparently, beating him whilst he was unconscious. Left his wallet, though?

What gets me is no one stopped to see if he was okay. Not one person. He also hasn't been to the doctor (but has filed a police report), which concerns me, but he's a grown man, can't force him to do anything.

The poor guy is (understandably) very shaken up. I've offered him the spare room at mine, but it's not a long-term solution, even if he does take me up on the offer.

I just feel so sorry for the guy...didn't know what to say to him when I found out (first I knew of it was today when I saw him with grazes all over his face).

I guess this is just more a vent than anything...am just so shocked it happened. Police are useless - told him chances of finding attacker were basically nill and apparently didn't seem particularly interested, but the thing that really gets me is that no one stopped to help him

Not sure why you have offered him your spare room?

marisco_2

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

but the thing that really gets me is that no one stopped to help him

This doesn't surprise me at all. London like most big cities is not a friendly place any more. People would rather walk on by than try helping someone. That is my experience of London any way.

lostinrates

I, sadly, have collapsed in London a few times, and most times people have been incredibly helpful. One time a passerby misconstrued my husband curling round to try and soften my fall or hold me up with him punchinge (we see how it could have loed like that froma distance) and refused to leave until he had seen I was ok and I explained, a dh had, it was the result of a medical condition.

kingfisherblue

I hope your friend is ok, OP.

whitewing

victory wrote: »

Not sure why you have offered him your spare room?

Recent head injury? Perhaps he lives on his own? Has not had medical attention that she knows of..