Home Secretary Sajid Javid reveals moped mugging

Sajid JavidReuters

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has revealed he was a victim of a moped mugging in north London.

In a Sun on Sunday interview, Mr Javid said he reached for his phone to call a taxi outside Euston station when the thieves rode on to the pavement.

They grabbed his phone and zoomed off, he said, which left him "angry and upset".

He said he is now working on a review to give police more power to pursue moped thieves.

"Before I knew what was happening, it (the phone) had gone," said Mr Javid, who was appointed home secretary in April, becoming responsible for the UK's policing and security.

Speaking of the incident, which happened a couple of years ago, he said: "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."

His revelation comes days after comedian Michael McIntyre was robbed by men on a moped in north-west London.

Stories of moped crime from victims and police

Home Office proposals announced last month aim to give police drivers more legal protection and aim to smash the "myth" that officers cannot pursue riders who are not wearing helmets.

It followed concerns among officers that they risk prosecution for careless or dangerous driving if they chase criminals at high speed, particularly those on mopeds and motorcycles.

Mr Javid told the newspaper: "It's ridiculous. Police should be allowed to get on with the job.

"If someone commits a crime and police want to pursue them, they should have much more freedom to."

Use our tool to see how badly your neighbourhood is affected (London only).

Moped Crimes in London

Oxford Street, West end

  • 4th worst out of 654 wards
  • 1,393 moped crimes in the last five years
  • 756 of them were in 2017
  • 113 moped crimes committed on Market Place
    (West End's most dangerous road since 2012)

Types of moped crimes for West End

Theft and handling: 1100
Robbery: 187
Burglary: 85
Violence: 11
Criminal damage: 7
Other: 3

Camden Town with Primrose Hill, Camden

  • 9th worst out of 654 wards
  • 752 moped crimes in the last five years
  • 622 of them were in 2017
  • 103 moped crimes committed on Regent's Park Road
    (Camden Town with Primrose Hill's most dangerous road since 2012)

Types of moped crimes for Camden

Theft and handling: 649
Robbery: 78
Burglary: 10
Violence: 8
Criminal damage: 5
Other: 2

South Kensington Museums, Brompton & Hans Town

  • 58th worst out of 654 wards
  • 161 moped crimes in the last five years
  • 105 of them were in 2017
  • 10 moped crimes were each committed on Egerton Garden Mews, Lucan Place and Sloane Street
    (Brompton & Hans Town's most dangerous roads since 2012)

Types of moped crimes for Brompton & Hans Town

Theft and handling: 73
Robbery: 61
Burglary: 18
Violence: 6
Criminal damage: 3
Other: 0

Buckingham Palace, St James's

  • 20th worst out of 654 wards
  • 386 moped crimes in the last five years
  • 166 of them were in 2017
  • 16 moped crimes were committed on Kean Street
    (St James's's most dangerous road since 2012)

Types of moped crimes for St James's

Theft and handling: 314
Robbery: 34
Burglary: 21
Violence: 10
Criminal damage: 6
Other: 1

Southbank, Cathedrals

  • 22nd worst out of 654 wards
  • 331 moped crimes in the last five years
  • 192 of them were in 2017
  • 26 moped crimes were committed on Southwark Street
    (Cathedrals's most dangerous road since 2012)

Types of moped crimes for Cathedrals

Theft and handling: 265
Robbery: 45
Burglary: 15
Violence: 3
Criminal damage: 3
Other: 0

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The number of offences carried out by criminals using mopeds in London has increased from 827 offences in 2012 to more than 23,000 last year.

Data obtained by the BBC showed during that period, more than 40% of such offences happened in just two boroughs, Islington and in Camden - where Mr Javid was mugged.

The London streets most affected by ride-by moped thefts

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