Pastor's iPhone 16 Pro Max stolen during Facebook Live prayer in London

A Ghanaian pastor, Isaac Anderson, was recording a Facebook Live prayer session in London when two balaclava-clad cyclists rode up on Hoe Street in Walthamstow and snatched his iPhone 16 Pro Max from his hand. The theft occurred about 6:30 a.m., as dawn light washed the street and traffic began to pick up. A passing bus driver reportedly beeped to warn him, but Anderson continued delivering the sermon for roughly 17 minutes before the device was seized. The phone, meanwhile, continued broadcasting to his online followers, leaving the pastor unaware that the live feed remained on as the attackers rode away with the device. The attackers, one seen approaching from the rear on a high-speed bike, fled the scene before bystanders could intervene.

In video footage captured at the moment, one of the suspects is heard telling the other, 'Hey JP, he's on TikTok. He's on TikTok live bro... No fam. How do I end it? It's on Facebook,' before the other replies with an expletive and tries to cover his face as the clip cuts out. Anderson said he was unaware the device had been targeted until after it was reported missing: 'All of the sudden, someone from behind on a bike just came and snatched my phone from my hands [an] iPhone 16 pro max. It's not easy. All my information was on it.' He urged people to be cautious in public spaces, adding, 'Be careful about your phones and your important stuff - be careful, be careful. Thieves, burglars and robbers are everywhere. This is London... you don't know the people that are around you that will come and hurt you.' His message resonated with followers, many offering words of support.

The episode comes as London contends with a long-running wave of mobile-phone thefts. Police and researchers have noted a surge in thefts across the capital, with criminals using high-powered e-bikes and scooters to snatch devices from pedestrians and commuters. London has reported a striking rise in mobile thefts in recent years, and data indicate that the city saw about 70,000 phones stolen in 2024 alone, part of an estimated 100,000 thefts across the United Kingdom. Local authorities estimate the practice costs consumers and communities tens of millions of pounds annually, with a notable share of stolen devices subsequently appearing in overseas markets such as China and Nigeria. The trend has spurred a coordinated policing response.

Metropolitan Police officials say they have stepped up enforcement to curb what officials describe as an 'industrial-scale' crime wave. The force has deployed plainclothes officers to perceived hotspots in central and west London, including the West End and Westminster, and has experimented with high-powered e-bike patrols and even helicopter surveillance to tracking suspects before officers move to detain them. The crackdown aims to disrupt organized groups believed to be behind many of the thefts and to deter opportunistic snatchings in busy tourist and transport hubs.

Responding to the incident, Daily Mail reporters approached the Metropolitan Police for comment on the attack against Anderson. As of this report, no detailed statement had been provided publicly by the Met regarding the Walthamstow incident. In the meantime, Anderson has continued his ministry online but urged followers in London and beyond to remain vigilant about personal security and the importance of safeguarding devices as cities grapple with the thefts.

The episode underscores a broader concern about personal security and public life in urban centers where live-streaming and mobile connectivity intersect with everyday risk. While authorities push the crackdown, residents and visitors alike are reminded to protect devices, be mindful of surroundings, and report suspicious activity to authorities. For Anderson, the incident is a sobering reminder to balance outreach with practical safety, as communities in the city navigate a challenging period of heightened criminal activity.