In a brazen street robbery, Labour MP Chris Webb, who represents Blackpool South, had his phone snatched by four individuals riding electric bikes as he walked home from Parliament. The 38-year-old MP, who was uninjured in the incident, expressed his gratitude to the Metropolitan Police, commending officers for their rapid response and assistance.
Mr Webb recounted that the attack occurred on Monday evening while he was returning to his flat in south London. CCTV footage - obtained from a nearby shop by The Sun - reveals the gang approaching Mr Webb from behind on electric bikes, with one individual grabbing his arm while another swiftly snatched his phone. Each member of the group wore balaclavas.
Speaking after the incident, Mr Webb said, "Luckily, I have no injuries, and I am ok. Unfortunately, they just took my phone, so I'm without one for the foreseeable future." Reflecting on the immediate response of the police, he added, "I want to thank the Met Police for their swift response and support. The officers who assisted me went above and beyond. They are a remarkable credit to the force."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to the scene on Lambeth Walk, south London, at 21:55 on Monday evening following reports of a robbery. A spokesperson for the Met stated, "The victim was approached by a group of men who stole his phone from his hand."
Mr Webb used his smartwatch to lock his iPhone and assisted officers in tracking it to a nearby location. Police were subsequently able to make an arrest in connection with the incident, though the phone itself has not been recovered.
Rising Crime Rates Highlight the Need for Vigilance
This incident comes amid a broader increase in crime across London, with recent statistics showing a worrying rise in various offences. According to the latest figures, total crime in London for the 2023/24 reporting year reached approximately 938,020 cases, up from 887,870 the previous year. This reflects a crime rate of around 105.8 offences per thousand people, an increase from 100.9 per thousand the year before.
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Among the troubling trends is the persistence of violent crime. Between September 2023 and August 2024, the period saw around 255,000 incidents, a marginal 0.1% increase compared to the previous year, with violent crimes now constituting roughly 23% of all recorded offences in London. Knife crime, in particular, remains a serious issue, with 15,016 knife-related offences recorded for 2023/24. Although this figure represents a decrease from peak levels in 2019/20, it continues to reflect a substantial problem.
Murder rates also remain a focal concern for police forces, though there has been a reduction from the peak of 159 recorded in 2017/18.
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Opinion: Stand Up for Our Police Before It's Too Late
I'll tell you straight: the police in this country are in dire straits, and it's high time the public stood up and showed some backbone in supporting them. The case of Labour MP Chris Webb, who had his phone snatched in a brazen robbery, is just one more example of the daily threats our officers face. But instead of focusing on the audacity of these criminals, let's talk about the unsung heroes who responded.
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