Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Police told autistic man he’d ‘had too many drinks’ after mugging
VICTIM FELT ‘HUMILIATED’ BY POLICE RESPONSE
A WEST LONDON man with autism says he felt “humiliated” by the police’s response after he reported being mugged on a night out and claims he was told he had “had too many drinks”.
Jack Brien met up with a friend after finishing work in a bar in Soho and they went out in central London on September 23.
After what he feels has been an unacceptable response from the Met, and no progress in arresting anyone, he is speaking out nearly two months later to raise awareness of a lack of support he says vulnerable people and those with hidden disabilities experience in London.
On the night of the mugging, the 27-year-old “had a couple of drinks” when a man approached him and his friend.
Jack told MyLondon: “He kept trying to pressure us into buying drugs, and I kept saying ‘no I don’t want any’.
“I have autism, so it’s situations like that where I’m quite vulnerable.
“He took me aside and said ‘come with me, let’s have a chat’. I kept saying ‘I need to go back to my friends’, and he wouldn’t leave me alone. I withdrew money just to get him to go.
“He took me back to my friends and then lifted me up, trying to do it in a friendly way.
“He then took my phone out of my pocket. When I got back to the bar I realised my phone was gone.”
Jack, who is from Ealing, believes the man used his Apple Pay on his device to make dozens of transactions totalling £400. He got the money back from his bank, and reported the theft to Romford Police Station later on the same day.
Jack continued: “They told me there’s nothing they could do. They said the description of him is vague, even though I was explicit in my description of him.
“They also said he doesn’t have any defining features. There was a little glimmer of hope when I later got a phone call and they took a statement from me.” Jack says a police officer at Charing Cross Police Station was put in charge of the case. He added: “I was told that there was ‘insufficient evidence’ and that I had too many drinks. I remember the events vividly and gave the police leads to the CCTV outside of the bank where I withdrew cash, and in the places where my credit card was used.
“Upon entering the branch, I was told by the cashier that no footage was requested by them [the police] on that day. The PC closed my case [as far as I’m aware]. This is unacceptable and I feel that the police have humiliated me and neglected my case.”
Jack says he reported his experience to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
He claims the IOPC apologised and the case was re-opened, but then it was quickly set aside once again. However the Met Police told MyLondon the investigation remains open.
Jack said: “The PC re-opened my case again and immediately closed it, and said ‘I have other matters to attend to’.
“I’ve been offered no support whatsoever.”
Jack said the theft has taken a toll on his mental health.
“My passport photo was on that phone, so I’m scared that the mugger has used my identity,” he added.
“This has really taken a toll on my mental health.
“I expected more support as a result of this, especially in the context of having a hidden disability.
I’ve been suffering from panic attacks and depression.”
Jack said when he moved from Brighton to the capital he “knew it wouldn’t be easy”, adding: “I feel more should be done to protect the vulnerable, and I’m scared I’m going to see that man again.
“Now, when I walk through central London, I have to keep everything close to me.”
The Met Police did not respond to Jack’s claims about the officer’s comments, or whether the case was ‘closed’ at any point, but a spokesperson said: “At approximately 3.40pm on Friday September 23, police received a report of a mobile phone theft that had taken place at around 2am that morning in the vicinity of Dean Street, W1.
“Officers have checked CCTV and spoken to venue staff in the area as part of their enquiries. The investigation is ongoing.
“No arrests have been made at this time. Theft is a high priority crime in the West End and the Met takes all reports very seriously.
“We will continue to keep the victim updated.”
I feel more should be done to protect the vulnerable, and I’m scared I’m going to see that man again. Jack Brien