A Nando’s waitress in London was left feeling “grossly let down” by the police after a customer slapped her in the face with a plate. The incident, captured in viral social media footage, showed the man striking the waitress as she was serving food to his table at the Nando’s restaurant in Stratford.
The police were called to the scene following the assault, but it appears that no action was taken against the suspected attacker at the time. The waitress, who later identified herself on social media, expressed her disappointment with the police response. She claimed that the officers released the man without taking his details or checking the CCTV footage.
In a statement on social media, the waitress mentioned filing a complaint against the officers, only to receive a response from their supervisor stating that they were humans who had made a mistake. The Metropolitan Police later admitted that the initial report of the assault was not promptly progressed by officers when it was first made in March. However, after the video of the incident went viral and garnered over 20 million views, the investigation was re-opened.
The waitress expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received online, but emphasized her disappointment with the police’s handling of the situation. She highlighted the importance of speaking up about violence against women, young women, and girls in light of the incident.
Police Response and Investigation
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the video circulating online showing the incident at the Nando’s restaurant. They stated that a report of assault was made at the time of the incident, but it was not promptly progressed by officers. The police expressed regret over the delay in handling the case and assured the victim that they would keep her updated on the progress of the investigation.
The police spokesperson confirmed that no arrest had been made yet, and enquiries were ongoing to locate the man involved in the assault. The police also reached out to the victim to take her statement and gather more information for the investigation. They emphasized that the level of service provided by the police in this case was not acceptable to Londoners.
Nando’s Response
Nando’s, the restaurant chain where the incident occurred, described the attack on the waitress as “shocking and unprovoked.” They reported the incident to the police immediately and have been providing support to the affected colleague since then. Nando’s stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior and prioritize the safety of their employees and customers.
The spokesperson for Nando’s reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment within their restaurants. They emphasized that incidents of violence or assault would not be tolerated, and the well-being of their staff and patrons remained a top priority.
Public Outrage and Support
The video of the incident sparked outrage among the public, with many expressing their support for the waitress and condemning the act of violence. The incident highlighted the importance of addressing violence against women and the need for proper response and accountability from authorities.
The waitress, in a seven-minute video, thanked everyone for their support and emphasized the need to speak out against violence targeting women and girls. She shared her experience of feeling let down by the police but expressed hope that the renewed investigation would lead to justice being served.
Overall, the incident at Nando’s served as a stark reminder of the prevalence of violence against women and the importance of taking a stand against such behavior. The support and attention received by the waitress highlighted the power of community solidarity in advocating for justice and accountability in cases of assault and violence.