Sajid Javid: My phone was stolen by moped thieves

Sajid Javid has said he was mugged by moped thieves.

The home secretary, who is in charge of the nation’s policing and security, says muggers stole his mobile phone.

Mr Javid said he was targeted by criminals outside Euston station in north London a few months before he was promoted to the Home Office.

“It happened in a flash. I was walking out of Euston station and reached for my phone to call a taxi,” he told The Sun.

:: Why moped crime is rising – and how you can avoid being a victim

“It was brand new. Before I knew what was happening, it had gone. They just rode up, grabbed it and zoomed off.

“I was angry and upset but thought myself lucky not to have been stabbed or beaten up like many other victims who fall prey to these vicious criminals.”

He does not comment on whether he reported the crime to the police.

Mr Javid, who was communities secretary when the incident occurred, has recently committed to giving police chiefs more support.

In June, it was reported that more than 60 crimes using mopeds or motorbikes were carried out every day in London on average over the past year – a 50% increase on the previous 12 months.

Earlier this month, comedian Michael McIntrye was targeted by armed moped robbers and a 24-year-old woman was left in a critical condition after two men on a moped punched her and stole her phone the same day.

The problem is not isolated to the capital, with spates of violent crime being reported across the country.

Father-of-four Mr Javid said he worries about his children if they are out late.

“Our streets should be safe at all times, you shouldn’t have to worry about things like knife or other crime,” he said.

Earlier this month, the prime minister was challenged about the government’s response to criminals using mopeds to carry crimes.

She said talks with police had taken place to make sure they had the powers they needed to be able to chase moped-riding criminals.

“This issue of moped crime is one that is of concern for people,” Mrs May admitted.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police said it is “doing all it can” to bring thieves to justice after figures suggested less than 5% of burglaries and robberies across the country are being solved.

The Met said it is putting a “huge amount of effort” into tackling a rise in moped-related crime, which it said has reduced.

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