What happened to me the other week wasn't exactly a major mugging, and I came away unscathed, but I still wasn't expecting it as I have always felt safe in Streatham.

I got off the train at Streatham Common at about 11.30pm and was walking home down Estreham Road.

It was just me on the road and two guys (both black males, maybe early 20s) began walking towards me on the other side of the road.

As they walked past me something didn't feel right. I carried on walking and then looked around about 20 seconds later and they had turned around and were approaching me, but they were still about 50 metres behind.

I started to walk faster; the next time I looked around they'd crossed to my side of the road and were getting closer.

I picked my stride up again and turned down Natal Road- same process, I look around and they would get closer.

About half way up I could hear them really pick up their pace.

I looked around and one had disappeared but the guy still there started almost skipping towards me, at which point the other guy jumped out from behind a car and they ran at me.

This was by the entrance to Ellora Road near the Earl Ferrers pub. They tried to get my bag which contained my MacBook Pro (which I was NOT willing to give up!) I managed to fend them off and made it onto Streatham High Road, at which point they shouted some abuse at me and then I think walked back down the road, although I didn't hang around to find out.

I don't think it was a planned attack, I think they just saw me walking alone with a big bag and wearing headphones, so thought they could sneak up on me.

As soon as I clocked them in the first place I turned my music off but kept the headphones on, that way they wouldn't know I could hear them and kind of kept me one step ahead.

It was strange because I've always felt safe in Streatham.

I'll be changing my route from Streatham Common station late at night now though, just to be on the safe side.

Matt Read Streatham resident