A Channel Seven reporter and her cameraman have been mugged by a gun-wielding thief.
Laurel Irving had just finished a live cross from London's north around 10pm (7am AEST) when she was approached by two men on bikes.
The experienced journalist was pre-recording some material for a later broadcast when the attack occurred.
"I was really busy and noted that they were wearing balaclavas, which you would think would be a dead giveaway as to their intentions," she told 3AW's Ross and John.
"I started talking into the camera and while that was happening one of them walked up to Jimmy, our cameraman, and started talking to him. All of a sudden Jimmy took the camera off the tripod and that's when I stepped in and said, 'Hey, what's going on here?'
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"I tried to grab the camera and Jimmy said, 'No, no, he's got a gun!' So I let it go and they took off on the bike."
Channel Seven reporter Laurel Irving.
Photo: Seven News
Irving said while she never saw the weapon herself, it was better to be safe than sorry. The camera's value is estimated to be $25,000.
"I don't know how they're going to offload it," she said. "The cops said they got it on CCTV."
Irving, who was previously based in Melbourne, stepped into the role of Seven's Europe correspondent earlier this year. She has been with the network for around 10 years.
Last month, she covered the royal wedding between Prince Harry and former actress Meghan Markle.
Irving and Seven have been contacted for comment.
Broede Carmody is an entertainment reporter at Fairfax Media.
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