London police have reassured Arab visitors to the city that they are safe in the UK capital following a gang attack on an Emirati couple this week.

The couple were attacked with guns, knives and hammers when the gang raided their holiday flat in the city.

The attack and a similar one earlier have raised fears that gangs are targeting wealthy Middle Eastern tourists in London. They also prompted thousands of people from the UAE to tweet the #London_is_not_safe hashtag on Twitter, said a report in London Evening Standard website.

The report quoted a senior Scotland Yard assistant commissioner Mark Rowley as saying: “This was obviously frightening for those involved but I wish to reassure visitors that they will be safe in London. We acknowledge the tragic coincidence of two serious violent attacks against residents of UAE in London and the concern these are bound to cause but there is no reason to suggest they are linked.”

He said the couple were not targeted because of their nationality, the report said.