A young hairstylist from Melbourne has publicly criticised a group of male bystanders who she claims failed to intervene during an alleged robbery, while praising two women who stepped in to help her recover her stolen handbag.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
Daisy Wu, who operates a salon in Hawthorn East, Melbourne, reported that she was sitting in her parked car near Melbourne Central on the evening of December 13 when the incident occurred. According to her account, she had emergency parked on the road and was about to call her boyfriend when a homeless man allegedly opened her car door and snatched her bag from the passenger seat.
"The craziest thing just happened in Melbourne," Ms Wu stated in a TikTok video that has since gained attention. "I was sitting in the car about to call my boyfriend, and this homeless guy just opened my door and snatched my bag straight from my passenger seat. It had all my belongings. My cash, my credit card, everything in there."
Chase and Bystander Reaction
Ms Wu immediately gave chase, running down the street after the alleged thief. She called out for help during the pursuit but expressed disappointment that several men who witnessed the event did nothing to assist her.
"There were a few men walking past and they all just looked at him, and no one did anything," she recounted, highlighting what she perceived as a failure of bystander intervention in the moment of crisis.
Female Intervention and Recovery
The situation took a positive turn when two women who had been observing the incident decided to intervene. According to Ms Wu, these women followed the alleged thief to a nearby laneway and directed her to his location.
"There were two girls watching him the whole time, and they kind of followed him to where he ran into, which was a little laneway," she explained. "They told me where he was, and thank God, I was quick enough. When I got there, he had just opened my wallet, and he was about to take some cash out."
Thanks to this timely intervention, Ms Wu managed to recover her bag before any cash was removed, though the experience left her shaken and reconsidering her sense of safety in the city.
Lessons and Reflections
In the aftermath of the alleged robbery, Ms Wu shared several important lessons she learned from the experience:
- Vehicle Security: She emphasised the importance of always locking car doors, even when occupants are inside the vehicle.
- Gender Dynamics in Crisis: "I'm kind of disappointed, honestly, with men in general," she stated. "I know not all men are like this, but my experience today, it's a bit disappointing."
- Female Solidarity: She expressed gratitude toward the two women who helped, noting "Sometimes girls have your back more [than men]."
- Perceived Safety in Melbourne: Having lived in Melbourne for over 13 years and frequently visiting the city, Ms Wu said this incident has fundamentally altered her perception of urban safety.
"Melbourne feels so unsafe now; nothing like this has ever happened to me," she concluded, reflecting on how a single traumatic event can reshape one's relationship with their urban environment.
