Police are looking for a man after assaults in Covent Garden left a pensioner in hospital requiring 15 stitches in the back of his head. Today they have released a new image of a man they wish to speak to regarding the assaults.
The evening also saw an off-duty police officer punched in the back of the head at around 10.30pm near the Royal Opera House on October 12, 2024. Shortly after that attacker pushed over a man, in his 70s, in nearby King Street, after asking him for directions. The attack left him temporarily unconscious and in hospital with a bleed on the brain.
He required 15 stitches and still suffers the effects today. The off-duty police officer, attached to the Central East Command Unit, was not injured.
Police have made a fresh appeal
(Image: Met Police)
The two victims weren’t known to each other and the attacks appear to have been random with no motive, say police. While no arrests have been made, enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Constable Greg Atkins, from the Central West Command Unit, said: “This incident took place in and around Covent Garden on a busy evening.
“We are making a renewed appeal for anybody with information to come forward. Do you recognise the suspect featured in the CCTV images?
“Multiple people witnessed the assaults and I would ask anyone who can assist in identifying the person responsible to get in contact.”
The man police wish to speak to has been described as white, around five-foot-nine inches tall, of medium build and wearing a black jacket. He was last seen fleeing towards Bedford Street.
Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 and quote CAD reference 7846/12OCT. Crimestoppers can also be contacted to report anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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