A teenager reported having her mobile phone stolen from her in McDonald’s by a thief using a distraction technique.

The victim’s mum said her daughter was having lunch with her friend in the fast food chain’s Gravesend town centre branch when the alleged crime happened.

She said the 17-year-old sixth-form student went to get some sauces and left her iPhone 14 on the table with her companion when a woman they did not know approached their table.

The woman is said to have asked for some food but when asked to leave, leant over, took some chips and put a leaflet over the mobile before swiping it.

The girl’s mum – who did not wish to give her name – told KentOnlne: “When they realised she was running down the stairs.

“You do not expect this to happen. They know what they are doing, distract you and then take what they want.”

The family have since tracked the phone to an address in London.

The incident, which happened at around 12pm yesterday at the McDonald’s in New Road, has been reported to the police.

No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing.