Police on bus refused to arrest my attacker, says woman who was sexually assaulted

 
Smartly dressed: police released this CCTV image of the alleged bus attacker, but no one came forward and the inquiry was closed
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A woman who was sexually assaulted on a bus was told by two police officers they could not arrest her alleged attacker because she had not reported the crime at a police station.

The victim even pointed out her assailant and said she had a witness — but the two female officers refused to investigate and told her to go to the police station on foot.

Today the 36-year-old woman, who does not wish to be named, told of her experience after the two WPCs were given final written warnings for a failure in standards of behaviour and duties.

The victim, who at the time was director of a marketing agency, told the Standard: “I do think they should have been sacked, though it would not have given me any joy.”

She described how she had been on a crowded No 134 night bus home to north London after a Christmas meal with friends last December. As she got up to greet a friend, a man lunged at her and sexually assaulted her in front of passengers.

She said: “I pushed him away and asked, ‘What are you doing?’ I was shocked but seconds later two female police officers boarded the bus

“I told them what had happened. I pointed at the man, saying that was who had assaulted me, and I said the attack was witnessed by my friend.

“They told me they could not deal with the crime because I had to report it at a police station. At the time I did not question it because you believe in the police and what they say.

“Only later when I walked to Kentish Town police station and said, ‘I have just been sexually assaulted’, I thought it was not right.”

Police launched an investigation into the assault and released a CCTV image of a smartly dressed man in a suit and a hoodie in an appeal featured in the Standard three months later.

However, no one came forward and the inquiry was closed.

The victim told the Standard : “It was only later I realised the injustice of what had happened. It may have been considered a minor sex assault by some people but it means next time this man is in that situation it could be worse.

“I felt it was my duty to do something about it and I can’t believe the police let him walk away from the scene. But if I’d had an apology from these officers I would have left it.”

She said her ordeal has left her frightened to take buses at night, adding: “I was not physically hurt but I don’t feel safe walking the streets after dark any more and spend a fortune on taxis.”

The officers claimed they could not understand the victim as she had been drinking but CCTV footage shown at their tribunal supported her account.

The film also shows the officers carrying plastic bags of food and even following the victim after she gets off the bus to walk to the police station.

The victim said: “I was a lone woman at 1.30am and they did not even accompany me back to the station, which they were going to. I am not sure why they did not think to escort me.

“I’ve always kept on the right side of the police and you think the one time you need them you can rely on them.”

Scotland Yard confirmed two officers were found guilty at a misconduct hearing after it found they had “breached the standards of professional behaviour for duties and responsibilities”.

Camden borough commander Richard Tucker said: “These officers let down the victim and both received a final written warning — the most severe sanction available to the local panel.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and ask for the Roads Policing Command

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