Victim of attack outside Victoria Surgery in Bury St Edmunds feels 'let down' by police response

An assault victim, who was attacked outside a Bury St Edmunds GP surgery, says he feels ‘let down’ by the police response to the incident.

James Bradley, 54, was headbutted on the nose and nearly hit over the head with a bottle during the attack involving two men who he says were drug dealing outside Victoria Surgery, in Victoria Street, on Thursday, November 8 evening.

With blood pouring from his nose and fearing one of them was reaching into his pocket for a weapon, Mr Bradley fled into the surgery as they shouted that the police would do nothing and they would be waiting for him outside.

Staff on reception phoned the police and Mr Bradley says he had to ‘beg’ for officers to attend and when they did, he did not feel reassured by their response – with no follow-up call the next day.

Suffolk Police have defended their handling of the incident.

“The police there said they were the only two on until 1am and they were stretched,” he said.

I feel totally let down by the police. I’m now in panic mode – what if they (the attackers) recognise me and wanted to pursue this further? - James Bradley

“I would have thought for a bit of reassurance, an officer would have phoned me to give an update.

“If the attack had literally happened and these guys are so blatant, would you not ask the person who was attacked to jump in the car with them to spot them.”

“I feel totally let down by the police. I’m now in panic mode – what if they (the attackers) recognise me and wanted to pursue this further?”

Mr Bradley said he attended an appointment at Victoria Surgery and saw the two men outside on a bench. He suspects they were dealing drugs as people were approaching them, with packages being exchanged.

Suffolk Police takes all reports of crime extremely seriously and works hard to achieve justice for victims of crime across the county - Suffolk Police

As he left the surgery, one of the men shouted at him, said Mr Bradley. He responded and the man then threatened him.

He said that one of the men got into a car which had pulled up and followed him as he walked away. He returned to the surgery and was confronted by the pair. During the attack, he was also scratched on the forehead.

“I’m an innocent person going round to have treatment in my surgery and I’m attacked for no reason,” Mr Bradley said.

“It’s incredible this could happen in Bury St Edmunds. The drug situation in Bury town centre has got out of control. They feel that they’re above the law – they’re feral.”

He received treatment for his injuries at the surgery and said staff were ‘brilliant’.

He said one of the men was about 5ft 8in, had a dark beard, a front tooth missing and was wearing a blue Parka-style coat. The other man was of similar height, a heavy build and was wearing a light grey tracksuit and a white baseball cap and had a ginger complexion.

A spokeswoman for the Victoria Surgery said that following the incident staff who usually walked home were driven, to ensure their safety.

She said: “The safety of our patients is always our main priority. We’re concerned about what happened to the gentleman and we will fully co-operate with the police.

“It was a completely one-off incident. There has never been an attack on a patient outside our surgery before.”

A Suffolk Police spokeswoman said they received a call at 6.32pm regarding the assault and the attackers had left the scene.

She said: “Officers attended the location at 6.53pm and spoke to the victim, who agreed to be updated once a month, in accordance with the Victims’ Code of Practice.

“Officers immediately conducted house to house inquiries and a patrol of the area. Police are in the process of securing CCTV and the investigation is ongoing.

“Suffolk Police takes all reports of crime extremely seriously and works hard to achieve justice for victims of crime across the county.”

Anyone with information should contact police quoting 37/67714/19.