Life in the aftermath of an attack by a stranger

Sir – Thank you for your Leading Article (January 26) highlighting the care available for the mentally ill. However, can I ask you to spare a thought for their victims?

In September 2021, I was physically assaulted in a public place. The effect of this attack has been acute. Both my physical and mental health were affected, although thankfully, with the help of my family, I am now much better. My attacker was a 23-year-old paranoid schizophrenic. He was tried in absentia in a Crown court, found guilty of grievous bodily harm, and is currently detained in a mental hospital.

The hardest part of my ordeal has been the lack of awareness of these assaults on innocent people like me. There is no support group for victims, and the low public awareness means that recovery can be a very lonely process.

Greater appreciation of the devastating results of an attack by a stranger with mental health issues might improve care and mean that we can all walk safely on our streets again.

Anne Roberts

Bridport, Dorset

Sir – I suspect that most of the public are tired of hearing that there will be an increased police presence and that family support officers will be in attendance after another violent and pointless crime has been committed.

There are fewer police officers on the beat, and the idea of prevention is dismissed as too costly. But as detection rates fall and crime rises, the conclusion must be that the system will continue to fail those whom it is meant to protect.

Simon Taylor

Poringland, Norfolk