‘It felt like he was trying to hold hands with me’: Moped mugging victim speaks out after phone stolen in Kingsland Road
Two people were found shot this afternoon by police in Forest Gate: PA images
Another victim of a moped mugging has spoken out, to try and thwart the gangs by raising awareness of the crime.
Ella’s mobile phone was stolen in Kingsland Road, Haggerston, on May 30, just after she crossed St Peter’s Way. She has asked the Gazette not to publish her surname for fear of reprisals.
The thief, who was riding a black motorbike, mounted the pavement outside The Fox pub – right underneath a sign saying “CCTV operates in this area”.
He snatched the phone and bank card out of her hand.
A shaken Ella told the Gazette: “It felt like the mugger was trying to hold hands with me, as they slowed the bike right down.
“It was scary and disorientating, especially as I wasn’t using my phone, just holding it in my hand by my right side.”
Ella's contactless debit card was then passed to a woman who bought alcohol, phone credit and cigarettes in Yours Locally, a corner shop nearby.
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Det Insp Paul Ridley from Hackney CID said: “This case demonstrates the tactics used by thieves on mopeds.
“I must re-enforce the message for people to remain vigilant and attempt to keep their belongings out of sight.
“We have significantly stepped up our efforts to reduce these offences but we need the public to assist us as well.”
