Javid: I’ve been victim of moped muggers too

HOME Secretary Sajid Javid has revealed he was the victim of moped muggers who stole his mobile phone.

He told how thieves had driven on to the pavement and snatched the device out of his hand as he tried to call a taxi at Euston station in North London.

The incident, which happened a few months ago during his previous role as Communities Secretary, had left him ‘angry and upset’ and fearful for the safety of his four children when they go out.

Mr Javid, who became Britain’s first Muslim Home Secretary in April, is in charge of the nation’s policing and security. The 48-year-old Tory told the Sun on Sunday: ‘It happened in a flash. I was walking out of Euston station and reached for my phone to call a taxi.

‘It was brand new. Before I knew what was happening, it was 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.’

The Home Office last night declined to comment on the mugging. Scooter gangs committed 23,000 recorded crimes last year – an average of 64 a day and up 163 per cent on the year before.

Comedian Michael McIntyre was robbed of his watch by moped-riding thieves in North-West London earlier this month.

Mr Javid is working on a review to give police more power to pursue moped thugs without fear after officers found themselves in the dock over high-speed chases – as they can be prosecuted for dangerous driving like any other motorist. Under Government proposals published today, the rules will be tweaked to recognise police drivers’ high level of training.