Brazen thief on moped caught on camera snatching phone out of victim's hand in Square Mile

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A thief has been caught on camera brazenly snatching the phone out of a man’s hand while riding a moped in the Square Mile in broad daylight.

The 26 year-old victim was crossing Cannon Street at around 1.40pm when two mopeds drove towards him in the middle of the road.

As one moped rider blocked the man from being able to move out of the way, the other snatched his phone out of his hand.

The mopeds then sped away along Cannon Street.

Police have released the footage to warn members of the public about moped and bike related crime.

City of London Police detective inspector Doug Blackwood said: “Phone snatchers are taking advantage of people in the City who are vulnerable to theft; either because their focus is elsewhere or they’re under the influence of alcohol after leaving a bar or club.

“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 nearly £40,000.

In the last two months there have been 28 offences in the Square Mile.

The crime on Cannon Street on May 16 is currently being investigated.

Anyone with information on the theft should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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