A mum was left 'traumatised' after she was cornered down a back alley by a group of men before her phone was stolen. Emma Mohareb, 34, from Hattersley, had gone into Manchester for a night out on Halloween on October 29 when the theft occurred.
Mum-of-two Emma said she had gone into town dressed up for the occasion and was going to meet a friend near Burger King, besides Primark. As she walked down Marble Street, a narrow alley, she said a group of men began talking to her, before blocking her from passing them.
It was at this point, she claims a young woman came up behind her and stole her brand new iPhone 14, which she had bought the day before. Distressed and emotional, she met her friend and called the police, but said they never showed up. She logged a complaint with the force.
READ MORE They deserved better, Greater Manchester deserves better, it must not happen again
Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Thursday (November 3) that officers have now taken a statement from Emma and apologised for the delay. They said: "We apologise to the victim for the delays. We have spoken to her and obtained a statement and are progressing with this investigation."
Speaking on Tuesday (November 1), Emma said: "I was walking through town, I had a couple of drinks and was going to meet my friend. I don't usually go out, I am always home with my kids. I saw everyone was out for Halloween and loving it so I thought I would just go.
"These men basically just started talking to me and I didn't think much of it at first. Then they started walking in front of me and wouldn't let me past. A girl came behind me all of a sudden and took my phone out of my hand and ran off. I fell over and hit my knee and ankle.
"I always feel safe in the city centre and have walked through lots of times at night. I keep asking myself why I didn't walk down the main street, but I just did and didn't think anything of it at the time.
"I know it was late, but I wasn't thinking anything like this could happen when there are so many people around. It's so scary to think you aren't even safe in your own city."
Emma said she called the police from her friend's phone, and waited for 45 minutes but that no officers came out to see her. She logged a complaint, and a statement has now been taken, with an investigation ongoing.
As a single mum-of-two, Emma said the ordeal was 'very intimidating' and she is now fearful of somebody walking up behind her. No arrests have yet been made in relation to the incident.
"We hear from the government about all these new officers on the streets, but where are they? Nobody came out to see me. Anything could've happened.
"I have been absolutely traumatised by this, it was scary. I am a single mum to two kids, so having to buy a new phone is something I just can't afford. It was very intimidating. It makes me think people are going to walk up on me. It's awful.
"I am not stupid, I know it was night time but you don't expect this to happen to you at all and I don't want to blame myself for this happening."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called at 11.10pm on 29 October to a report of a phone being stolen from a woman on Marble Street, Manchester. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."
A ny information should be passed to GMP via the LiveChat facility or by calling 101 quoting incident 3533 of 29/10/2022. Details can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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