Angela Rippon, 81, reveals terrifying attack in London as muggers 'kicked her in the head'

Angela Rippon has recalled being the victim of two violent muggings in London, describing how attackers threatened to “break her fingers” if she did not hand over her jewellery.

The broadcaster, 81, said the incidents, which took place in the early 2000s, left her fearing for her safety and resulted in the loss of several personal items, including pieces of sentimental value.

Speaking on Vanessa Feltz’s Channel 5 programme, Rippon reflected on the dangers of confronting thieves, recounting how she was assaulted during one of the attacks after attempting to protect her belongings.

“I've been mugged on two occasions in London and on both of them, it was me and there were two men,” she said.

“Now, I mean I did fight back, I didn't have an opportunity to the first time at all.

I ended up on the ground, and sort of curled up in the foetal position, and I thought that I might be safe there, and that was because it was so public, on a public pavement, that people would stop and help me.”
Instead, she said, bystanders often chose to film rather than intervene, adding that they were likely “as afraid that they may get mugged themselves.”
Describing the moment she was attacked, Rippon said: “The wanted my handbag, and because I was curled, and at the point when one of them kicked my head and I suddenly thought ‘actually, having concussion is not worth it,’ and I just did that and let them take my handbag.”
She attempted to pursue the attackers but said the effort was futile.

“But I then got up and chased them in the hope that somebody might stick a foot out and stop them from running away.

But they were like a pair of young gazelles and I was in heels and you know there was no contest really.”
In a second incident, she described a more threatening encounter.

Reflecting on the experience, Rippon said she ultimately chose to prioritise her safety over her possessions.

“I mean there is a point where you have to say, they're possessions, what is the point?

I mean, the one thing I lost was a sentimental ring that had been given to me by an aunt on my 21st birthday, it had very little value at all if any,” she reflected.

“And I really, I angst more over that than I did over the loss of my watch or my diamond earrings which I had at the time, but there is a point I think, when you are on the receiving end of that kind of attack, that you have to say, actually, they are possessions, just take what you want.”
She added: “Because you never know whether or not someone actually has a knife, and when they are bigger and when they're bigger than you, I'm sorry, they are going to wallop you, and it's not pleasant.

It's scary and it hurts, it's very scary.”
“They were much bigger than me and you don't fight back.

I said, '’Let me help you, please take it’.”
“It was a terrifying experience.

When I was mugged before, they pinched my handbag.

This time it was much more violent, and it was clearly planned.

“I got the impression they were waiting specifically for me.

It was physically painful this time, because they pulled my diamond stud earrings out with brute force and ripped my watch off.”
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