Kirsty Gallacher calls for increased police presence in London following assault
Former GB News presenter Kirsty Gallacher has urged authorities to increase police numbers on London’s streets and take stronger measures against violence targeting women and girls, following an assault she experienced in the capital last year, reports BritPanorama.
The 50-year-old broadcaster was attacked by a man in October while making her way to her vehicle in central London. Despite reporting the incident, the attacker remains unidentified.
Speaking to Sky News, Gallacher expressed her frustration about the escalating violence against women, stating it has become almost normalised and often dismissed as “one of those things.” She noted that this culture of acceptance contributes to women hesitating to report such crimes.
Describing the assault, she recalled, “He turned around and kicked me – really kicked me – like he would kick a football.” The incident occurred around 7pm, and although a security guard was nearby, he failed to intervene. Fortunately, a group of young women passing by rushed over to check on her welfare.
Gallacher, visibly shaken and bruised by the experience, highlighted the lack of police presence that night, lamenting, “My biggest sadness or anger was there was not enough of a police presence.” She added that she was looking for help, almost wanting to shout for assistance in the moment.
Moreover, she emphasised the importance of a visible police presence to help women feel safer in public spaces. Gallacher called for authorities to take every report of assault seriously, asserting, “I would like the police to take it seriously when women go ‘I’ve just been assaulted’ – even the most minor of assaults.”
In response to Gallacher’s comments, the Metropolitan Police reaffirmed their commitment to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls. They stated that officers had communicated with the victim on several occasions as the investigation progressed. However, they also confirmed that the investigation had been filed but would be reopened if the suspect was identified, with the suspect’s image still in circulation across the Met.
Gallacher, who worked with GB News from June 2021 until December 2021, brings to light broader concerns about safety in urban areas, illustrating how personal experiences can resonate deeply in public discourse around law enforcement and women’s safety.
