Scots actress and children's television presenter Kate Copstick has been attacked and mugged of £8,500 by 'two men wearing balaclavas and dressed like ninjas' in West London.
Copstick, best known for her role in TV show Playschool and ChuckleVision, is said to have been walking home with the cash from a charity shop she runs in Shepherd’s Bush last night, Saturday September 3, when the thugs pounced.
The 66-year-old was due to travel to Kenya, to provide funds to help a group of women fleeing female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and extreme violence.
She said: "I was walking home, it wasn’t very late and the street I live on is very well lit, I heard running behind me and turned to see the kind of outfit you only normally see in TV dramas - someone dressed head-to-toe in black, with a full face balaclava.
"He grabbed for my bag and I began to scream and shout for help, he put me in a chokehold and suddenly a second man - dressed exactly the same - appeared.
"I thought they were going to kill me. They kicked me to the ground, took the money and ran.
"I live in a not-posh area of Shepherd’s Bush – there is crime, there are muggings, but it’s generally kids looking to steal a few quid – not full-grown men essentially dressed like ninjas.
"They didn’t take anything else, which sadly means I was very likely targeted, and that someone knew I would be carrying a significant amount of charity cash with me. I’m talking to the police about that now."
An investigation into the terrifying incident has now started, with cops appealing for information.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at approximately 20:30hrs on Saturday, 3 September to reports of a woman robbed of a quantity of cash in Shepherds Bush, W12.
"Officers attended.
"The woman, aged in her 60s, was not seriously hurt during the incident. She stated two men approached her before forcing her to the ground and stealing cash from her rucksack.
"Enquiries into the circumstances continue including work to secure any viable CCTV evidence. No arrests."
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Copstick replace the vital funds she needs to take to Kenya. If you would like to donate, click here.
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