This is the vile moment a 16-year-old cyclist snatched a mother’s phone while she was taking photos of her daughter in the street.
The video, dated February 25, shows the mother standing just off the curb on the yellow line of the road while her daughter poses for photos before the boy climbs up behind her and snatches the phone from her hand.
This is the latest example of the wave of phone theft crime sweeping the capital.
Figures show mobile phones are reported stolen in London every six minutes.
Nearly 91,000 phones were stolen from Londoners in 2022, an average of 248 per day, and only 2% of stolen devices were recovered.
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In the video, the mother can be seen taking photos of her daughter on the street
We then see the boy come up behind her and take the phone from her hands.
The mother and daughter stand in shock for a moment before attempting to pursue the boy.
Although Metropolitan and City of London Police forces have told MailOnline they are tackling the crime wave head on.
The 16-year-old phone thief was caught by police in Bethnal Green when they saw him throw a phone as they arrested him for attempting to steal property.
He was arrested and the phone was reported to the police station.
The savvy girl set up an old iPhone to track the stolen phone and discovered it was at Bethnal Green police station. She went to get it but it was badly damaged after being thrown by the phone thief.
The teenager pleaded guilty to phone theft at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 21).
He was electronically identified and must remain at his home for four months between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Police also banned him from entering the City of London, Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea and Islington.
His parents or guardians were also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim.
PC Monika Furmanska, of City of London Police, said: “If you commit phone theft in the city, you can expect to receive a strong response and have the crime detected by our extensive network cameras.
“In this case, it was not possible for the victims to recover their phone in the condition it was stolen, but we are pleased to see the court award compensation for the value of the phone.”
She added: “We would urge members of the public to be aware of their surroundings when using mobile phones in the street. If you use your phone, move away from the sidewalk and, if possible, have your back to a wall or storefront.
Targeted operation by City of London Police disrupts phone thefts in the Square Mile.
The operation was launched due to the worrying increase in phone thefts in 2022, which continued last year and this year.
The force even sprays criminals and their mopeds with DNA spray in a bid to link them to crimes if they run away.
Traders suspected of buying stolen phones were also raided and law enforcement reintroduced a cycling team to help combat phone thieves.
The force has seized five illegal e-bikes and scooters each week, known to be used by phone thieves.
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