November 5th 2024.
Labour MP Chris Webb was walking home from Parliament last night when he found himself in a terrifying situation. The 38-year-old MP for Blackpool South was chatting with his wife during the walk back to his flat in London when he made a quick stop at a shop in Lambeth. It was around 10pm and he was just about to leave the store when he was suddenly ambushed from behind by a group of masked individuals. They snatched his phone and quickly took off on their bikes, leaving Chris stunned and shaken.
In an interview with Metro, Chris recounted the harrowing experience. "It all happened so fast. I didn't even have a chance to reach for my phone, which I had just put back in my pocket. There were about five or six of them, all wearing masks and riding bikes. They grabbed my phone and were gone in seconds." Chris believes that they may have noticed him using his phone earlier and targeted him specifically.
Normally, Chris would have his headphones on while talking on the phone, but he had left them back in Blackpool that week. "I always call my wife when I leave Parliament in the evening, but I wasn't able to use my headphones this time." Despite being a 6ft 2ins ex-rugby league player, Chris was unable to defend himself and was left with a bruise on his arm from where he was restrained.
Thankfully, Chris did not suffer any serious physical injuries, but he recognizes that he was lucky compared to other victims of similar attacks. He urges people to be cautious and vigilant, especially when using their phones in public. "If this can happen to someone my size, it can happen to anyone. Just be careful and try to use headphones when possible."
The police have been notified about the incident, and Chris has praised their swift response. "They were amazing. As a member of Parliament, I made the call because of sensitive information on my phone, and they really went above and beyond." Chris has nothing but gratitude for the police and their often unappreciated work. "I couldn't have asked for a better response."
Other politicians have shown their support for Chris in response to his post about the incident. Labour MP Kate Osbourne expressed her sympathy, while former leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron and MP Jacob Collier sent their best wishes. This incident comes after a string of phone snatching incidents in London, including one where the suspect was arrested within seconds of the crime.
Last month, Metro went out with the Metropolitan Police to see how they tackle phone snatchers in London's Oxford Street. Chris's experience serves as a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions while using your phone in public. Stay safe, everyone.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
