20 Jul 2024
A St Albans man who was attacked in the street by three assailants – one wielding a machete – says he feels massively let down by the police.
The victim, who we have chosen not to identify, said he was assaulted by three men and one woman in St Albans city centre in June, leaving him with a broken nose, scar to his forehead and lacerations to the back of his head.
But although police arrested his attackers, no action was taken subsequently due to an apparent lack of evidence.
The victim says he has has been left traumatised by the whole incident, and has recently been back to hospital following problems with his head injuries.
“Police never asked for witnesses or even took a statement from me. I think it was just too much work for them.
“But they physically took the machete from the offender’s hand. I’m not sure how much further evidence they would need.
“I feel I’ve been let down massively by the local police and now live in fear knowing the people that did this only live within walking distance of me.
“My pregnant fiancée won’t even answer the door or stay in the house alone and it’s putting stress on her pregnancy.
“I can’t believe they were caught red-handed with a machete and have no charges against them.”
A statement from Herts police said: “Police were called at around 11.13pm on Thursday 20 June to reports of a group of people fighting at an address in and near to High Street, St Albans.
“Officers attended and one man and one woman were arrested on suspicion of ABH, and another man was arrested on suspicion of ABH and being in possession of Class B drugs.
“A file was sent to the CPS however no further action could be taken due to insufficient evidence.
“All lines of enquiry were exhausted but any new information that comes to light will be dealt with accordingly.”
If you can help police with enquiries into this incident, ref 41/50104/24, you can do so at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, call the non-emergency number 101, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
