An Australian model has described feeling 'emotionally exhausted' after her phone was snatched in London for the second time in three months. CCTV footage shows the moment a masked thief grabbed the device from Emma Van Der Hoek's hand as she walked in Highbury on Tuesday afternoon.
The model attempted to chase the culprit, but he made a speedy getaway with another man dressed in black following him. In a social media post, Ms Van Der Hoek said: 'It’s reached a point where I can’t even walk two minutes down the street without looking over my shoulder.'
The video has gone viral on TikTok, with nearly 500,000 views. Ms Van Der Hoek condemned victim-blaming comments, stating: 'If you think this is my fault, you seriously need to go to therapy.' She urged the thieves to return the phone, promising to delete the footage.
Phone thefts in London have soared in recent years, with 70,137 devices stolen in 2024 compared to just 20,000 in 2020. The Metropolitan Police estimates the illegal trade is now worth £50 million, with many devices sold or dismantled for parts in China.
