WATCH: Moment Hi-Vis Moped Thieves Snatch Phone
20 September 2016, 12:56 | Updated: 20 September 2016, 13:01
Watch as moped thieves snatch phone from victim's hand - City of London Police
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This is the dramatic moment two crooks in hi-vis jackets charged across a road on a moped to snatch an unsuspecting victim’s mobile phone.
This incident in the City of London just before 3pm on Wednesday 31st August. The theft took place on Primrose Street, just minute before the same pair attempted to snatch a phone from the hands of a man on the neighbouring Appold Street. The moped then made off towards Old Street.
The City of London Police is targeting the trend as part of Operation Attrition, a joint enforcement and engagement approach with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service aimed at tackling bike and moped thefts.
Detective Inspector Mark Chapman from the City of London Police: “Phone snatchers are taking advantage of people in the City who often have their focus elsewhere while they walk around with their phones out. People are using their phone unaware of their surroundings giving offenders on mopeds or bicycles the opportunity to snatch phones – sometimes using force to knock the phone out of the victim’s hands or assaulting the victim to take it.
“I would urge people to consider using a hands-free device to make a call, not to text or use apps by the roadside and to always plan their journey home.
“As well as having expensive phones stolen with all the inconveniences involved, the personal information contained on the phone may put people at risk of identity theft.”
From April 2015 to March 2016, there were 131 reported phone snatch offences in the City of London resulting in losses of close to £40,000.
If you see any suspicious activity or have any information about anyone involved in this crime, contact City of London Police on 020 7601 2999 or on Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.
