A 72-year-old MP who was attacked in a brutal mugging in Walworth on Tuesday night has praised the London Metropolitan Police for their support.
West Bromwich West MP Adrian Bailey was attacked while walking down Crampton Street off the Walworth Road after being approached by a group of youths.
He said: “I appreciate that many other people have gone through what I went through last night and it really brought home to me about the value of having bobbies on the beat to deter such attacks.
“Every member of the public deserves the right to walk about in a safe and non- threatening environment.
“The Metropolitan Police response has been excellent and they are working hard with me to identify the perpetrators of this attack.
“I would like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their immediate response and the kind support they are giving me in dealing with this issue.”
MP Neil Coyle joined others in parliament in wishing Mr Bailey a quick recovery.
He told the News: “This cowardly attack cannot go unpunished.
“I hope anyone who suspects someone of being involved comes forward.
“This group of lads who attacked Andrew will have attacked others, and will do so again unless we all act.
“Andrew is shaken but I hope the culprits are prosecuted soon’
A spokesperson for the London Metropolitan Police told the News: “Police were called at 22.26 on Tuesday 20 February to Crampton Street, Southwark SE17 to reports of a robbery that had occurred earlier that evening.
“The victim, a 72-year-old man, was approached by a group of males and assaulted.
“The suspects made off with several items of property belonging to the victim who sustained minor injuries.”
No arrests have been made arrests at this stage, and police enquiries continue.
Anyone with information is urged to call Southwark Robbery Investigation Team on 101, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.