London, UK – A man who was brutally attacked by strangers near Clapham Common raised concerns after his 999 call went unanswered following the assault. The victim, returning home from a night out with coworkers on February 12, was attacked shortly after leaving Clapham South Tube station in the early hours of the morning.
He recounted that he was followed by the strangers off the Tube and attacked on Nightingale Lane by Clapham Common around 12:55 am. The assault lasted about seven minutes, during which he sustained injuries including cracked ribs and a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Despite attempting to call 999 for help, the victim claimed that his call was left unanswered. He expressed shock and disbelief at the automated message prompting him to visit a website due to busy operators.
Fortunately, the victim managed to flag down a passing British Transport Police vehicle, which alerted the Metropolitan Police of the incident. The authorities then arranged to meet with the victim the following day to gather more information and investigate the attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Dan O’Sullivan from the Met’s South West robbery squad confirmed receiving the 999 call, but noted that the victim had already flagged a passing BTP car nine minutes later before officers arrived. The investigation is ongoing, with forensic inquiries and CCTV footage analysis being carried out to gather more evidence.
The victim’s wife also expressed concerns over the emergency services’ delayed response, emphasizing the importance of a reliable 999 system for those in need of immediate assistance. The victim’s safety and the progress of the investigation remain top priorities for the authorities as they work towards identifying and apprehending the attackers.