Model’s Phone Snatched Twice in Broad Daylight in Supposedly Safe London Area

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An Australian model has fallen victim twice to a street crime in London after masked thieves snatched her phone in broad daylight. It is the second time she has been targeted in just three months, raising fresh concerns about safety in areas many consider secure.

Emma Van Der Hoek, a fashion model and social media personality, was walking alone in her local neighbourhood on Tuesday when the incident occurred. CCTV footage shows her strolling down a quiet path, looking at her phone, when a masked man dressed in black suddenly rushes up behind her and grabs the device from her hands before fleeing. Ms Van Der Hoek immediately gives chase, but the thief disappears around a corner. A second man, also dressed in black, is seen following close behind.

The influencer, who has a growing following online, later took to Instagram to speak about the incident. “My phone got stolen yesterday in London! This is the second time in three months that this has happened, all within my so-called ‘safe’ neighbourhood,” she said.

Daylight Crime

The shocking footage has stirred a debate around growing concerns over petty crime in the capital, particularly in areas not traditionally considered dangerous. The crime occurred in broad daylight, with no intervention or bystander response, despite being caught clearly on surveillance.

Ms Van Der Hoek’s instinctive reaction to chase the thief highlights just how sudden and invasive these attacks can be. “I was in total shock. It happened so fast and I didn’t even have time to think,” she later explained in her Instagram stories. But rather than receiving support, she revealed she was met with a barrage of online criticism and victim blaming, with some suggesting she was at fault for being distracted by her phone.

“The abuse I received afterwards was unbelievable,” she wrote. “People were actually blaming me for walking down my own street and using my phone. It’s honestly disgusting.”

Recent figures from the Metropolitan Police Service show that mobile phone theft remains one of London’s most common street crimes, with thousands of reports each month. Thieves often work in pairs or groups, targeting individuals perceived to be distracted or alone. Despite frequent pledges from local authorities to tackle the issue, victims like Ms Van Der Hoek are increasingly expressing frustration over a lack of action.

Critics of the current Labour-led leadership in City Hall argue that crime is not being tackled with the urgency required. They claim policing has become too reactive, and that a more proactive approach, including visible foot patrols and tougher sentencing, is long overdue.

Meanwhile, residents in many boroughs are becoming more vocal about their concerns. With stories like Ms Van Der Hoek’s becoming alarmingly common, people are questioning whether the term “safe neighbourhood” still holds any meaning in today’s London.

The incident has left the model feeling unsettled. She has called on others to remain alert and urged Londoners to speak out about their own experiences. “This can happen to anyone,” she said. Something needs to change before more people get hurt or worse.”

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are reviewing CCTV footage, but no arrests have yet been made.