Lone female paramedic mugged on duty

A lone female paramedic was mugged on duty by three youths on mopeds.

Katherine McKenna was on her way to help an elderly man who had fallen down the stairs when her phone was ripped out her hand by the gang who mounted the pavement to grab it.

The thieves, wearing black helmets with visors to cover their faces, attacked the 32-year-old as she cycled in Store Street in the West End.

Luckily, Ms McKenna was not hurt in the attack at around 6.15pm on July 25.

Determined not to let it affect her, she returned to work the very next day.

"If I didn’t go back to work, they would win. I want to keep doing my job which is caring for and treating people in London," she said.

"I don’t feel unsafe on my bike in London. Most of the time people are so friendly and appreciative of the job we do."

As a paramedic she has treated many victims who had been seriously injured by moped muggers - a crime becoming increasingly common.

"They are hurting people; they are putting other people in danger on the roads and pavements but they are also a danger to themselves," she said.

Paul Cook, Operations General Manager at London Ambulance Service, said: "It is appalling for a paramedic to be targeted while on duty and we will work with the police to identify and prosecute those who did this."

• Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111