A woman who endured a harrowing 18-month campaign of stalking, harassment, and violent threats was finally held at knifepoint outside her south London home — despite repeated pleas for help that were ignored by Lewisham Council.
The victim, referred to as Gemma for her safety, has told UKNIP that her complaints about a council tenant neighbour and his violent associates were brushed aside — until she was ambushed by a masked man brandishing a knife on her doorstep in Deptford.
Shocking Ring doorbell footage captured the chilling moment Gemma, who had just returned home from work, was grabbed from behind by the suspect who then threatened her with a knife held inches from her face. The terrifying incident happened on the evening of Thursday, 27 March, just before 7:15pm.
Despite this, no arrests have been made, and the attacker remains at large.
“They Can Do What They Like”
“This wasn’t random. The knife incident was to scare me. It was to tell me they can do what they like, when they like. They don’t care,” said Gemma, who has now been forced to seek refuge with her sister.
Over the past 18 months, Gemma has reported dozens of incidents including:
- Being stalked and followed by her neighbour
- Her door being banged on repeatedly
- Lighter fluid poured at her front door
- A meat cleaver left on her doorstep
- Groups of men, often masked and armed, waiting outside her flat
Despite clear video evidence, police referrals, and repeated emails from the Met Police and Victim Support, Lewisham Council failed to permanently rehouse her — initially claiming that her case did not meet the “threat to life” threshold.
Council Refuses to Move Her — Until Press Stepped In
It was only after press coverage by MailOnline that the council finally agreed to escalate the case for permanent relocation.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson initially deflected blame, stating:
“Unfortunately, the Police have not provided enough evidence to support a permanent relocation for Gemma.”
After pressure, the Council changed its position, stating:
“We are aware of a serious incident… and are very sorry she had to experience this. We are working closely with the Police, and this case will be put forward to the Emergency Housing Panel.”
The Met Police confirmed the knife incident and said the investigation is ongoing.
“A woman in her 40s was approached and threatened with a knife outside her home. No arrests have been made.”
A Preventable Failure
The victim’s family say this attack could have been prevented.
“For 18 months, my sister begged Lewisham Council for help. She was ignored at every turn — until she was held at knifepoint,” said her sister. “This is not just neglect. This is a system that has failed to protect a working woman in fear for her life.”
Call to Action
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting 6688/27MAR25, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Victim support groups and campaigners are now calling for a full investigation into how Lewisham Council handled Gemma’s case, and how many others may be suffering in silence under similar threats.
