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Emiratis not targeted in London, say UK Police

Police said Emirati visitors to London were not specific targets and ruled out any link between this incident and another in which three Emirati women were attacked.
“I’ve seen such scenes only in movies, I did not realise it was happening to me,” said the Emirati victim of an attack in London on Tuesday, the second such incident within a fortnight in the city.
It was a brazen attack, he recalled. “They took everything they could lay their hands on,” said the man who was assaulted at a flat in Westbourne Gardens, in the Paddington area, but escaped with minor injuries which did not require treatment in hospital. He was with his wife and an Emirati visitor when the men stormed their home.
The 51-year-old Emirati said his assailants were armed with knives and guns. “I remember receiving a phone call, but no one spoke on the other line. Later, they broke open the door and went on a rampage, rifling through the contents of the house.
“I don’t know how they managed to enter the building,” said the shaken victim. The man, his 47-year-old wife and 59-year-old visitor were lucky to escape unhurt.
“A group of males forced their way into the premises, two of the men were armed with handguns and one of the men armed with a butcher knife,” police said.
They said one of the men had a black handgun and the other brandished a silver handgun.
Three men stood outside the door to the flat, while four masked members of the gang entered the house, threatened its occupants and took two mobile phones, Dh4,000 and £2,400 in cash, passports and identity documents.
Police said Emirati visitors to London were not specific targets and ruled out any link between this incident and another in which three Emirati women were attacked at a hotel in London on April 6.
“This is obviously a very serious incident. Although those involved were not injured, they were left traumatised by their ordeal. I would appeal to anyone with any information or any witnesses to contact us as soon as possible to identify those involved,” said Detective Superintendent David Manning of Westminster police.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley reassured visitors to Lon-don that they would be safe there. “We pride ourselves that London is a much safer city than many other global cities. “Obviously we understand there are concerns about recent incidents, but I would reiterate that officers are doing all they can to find those responsible for this latest incident.
Four people have been charged following the assault on the three UAE women at the Cumberland Hotel on April 6.
“We acknowledge the tragic coincidence of two serious violent attacks against residents of UAE in London and the concern that it is bound to cause, but there is no reason to suggest these incidents are linked. We believe the victims in this latest case were not targeted because of their nationality,” said Rowley.
Emiratis concerned
Emiratis living in the UAE expressed concern after the latest violent incident in London.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, called the victim from Latin America where he is on a state visit, and assured him of all help.
Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, told him during a telephone call that officials would support their family during this difficult time. The couple hails from Ajman.
The UAE Ambassador to the UK, Abdul Rehman Ghanem Al Mutaiwei, said the UAE national and his wife were attacked by seven masked intruders who carried hammers, knives and guns. They broke the door to enter the apartment, threatened the family and stole their money, jewellery and credit cards.
The man fought off one of the assailants and ripped off his mask. With his identity exposed, the gang rushed to escape after hearing the wail of police sirens down below. Alert neighbours informed the police of the attack, the ambassador said. The ambassador visited the victim and his family and assured him of all help.
Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is following up the case closely and has ordered officials to assist the family who have now been taken to an apartment owned by Dubai Office in London.
On Twitter, Emiratis said London had become unsafe for their compatriots after the latest incident. Some of the tweeters advised travellers not to wear expensive clothes and urged them to use credit cards while shopping.
The Foreign Ministry had earlier warned citizens about gangs which could target them and their property. Authorities confirmed they would continuously review the situation in tourist regions across the world and warn UAE nationals of lurking dangers.
Emiratis are contacting travel agencies to reschedule or cancel their planned trips to the UK after the latest incidents.
allan@khaleejtimes.com