‘Topless man covered in blood’ flees robbery scene in landmark shopping street
The confrontation in London’s Oxford Street saw a businessman bundled to the ground for his watch and phone.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A shirtless man slashed himself with a knife in dramatic scenes following a violent street robbery in London’s West End, according to a BBC radio reporter who was live on air at the time.
The victim was targeted outside the Royal Gifts Gallery in Oxford Street on Tuesday, with shop staff coming to his aid as thieves tried to steal his watch and phone, catching one of the robbers.
BBC reporter Anna O’Neill said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that one of the thieves began slashing himself with a large knife until his accomplice was released.
She wrote: “While I was live on air, a violent street robbery happened outside one of the gift shops! Poor Phil, visiting the UK on business, was attacked for his watch.
“He was wrestled to the group (sic) by two men who tried to take his watch and phone.
“The men in the gift shop came out and pulled the robbers off Phil. They managed to apprehend one of the men who was wearing a grey suit.
“But his partner came back with a large knife and started slashing himself until they let his partner go … which they did.
“We’ve heard police cars, vans and an ambulance heading towards Marble Arch.
“The second man was naked from the waist up and covered in blood, holding a large knife.”
She was speaking to Eddie Nestor on BBC Radio London as the drama unfolded.
The victim, named only as Phil, later spoke to the broadcaster.
He said: “They tackled me and they were trying to get my watch off me and get my phone.
“And I was able to hold on to the small guy who was trying to take my watch and I wouldn’t let him go.
“These guys were around him and pulling them off, and then he got up and he ran without getting my watch.
“And they retained the other fellow but the other guy came back, the small fellow who tackled me, and he was starting to cut himself with a knife.”
The man who slashed himself is believed to have run off to Marble Arch Tube station, although this has not yet been confirmed by police.
A spokesman said: “Police were called at 10.51am on Tuesday, September 5, to reports of a man with a knife in Oxford Street.
“It was reported that he was harming himself and threatening to harm others.
“Officers attended along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service.
“The man was detained nearby, inside Marble Arch Underground station.
“The man was Tasered to prevent him causing further harm to himself or the public.
“He was taken to hospital for treatment to self-inflicted injuries.
“No other injuries were reported.”