A shocking new CCTV clip released by police reveals how a London phone thief can steal a mobile and disappear from view in a mere seven seconds.
The Seven-Second Snatch
The footage, shared by the City of London Police, shows a man standing on a pavement in the City district, looking up at an approaching bus. In a sudden blur of motion, a hooded figure on a bicycle shoots past, effortlessly grabbing the phone from the victim's hand. The thief then merges into oncoming traffic and flees the scene before the victim can even react.
The victim is left helpless as his personal data, contacts, and sensitive banking details speed away. The force used the video to highlight how vital it is for the public to remain aware of their surroundings and potential criminals targeting personal property.
Alarming Statistics on Mobile Theft
Official data underscores the scale of the problem. Between April and October, the City of London Police received 413 reports of phone snatching. While this marks a 30 per cent reduction compared to the same period last year, the figures remain concerning.
On a wider scale, the Metropolitan Police recorded that more than 560,000 mobile phones were reported stolen from January 2019 to March 2025. The borough of Westminster earned the title of 'theft hot spot' for both 2023 and 2024.
How to Protect Your Phone from Thieves
In a post on X, the City of London Police advised: "Simple actions such as keeping phones out of sight in crowded areas and being aware of surroundings can help reduce theft." They added that setting up security features improves the chance of recovering a stolen device.
The force has issued detailed guidance on how to protect yourself and your data:
Secure your phone immediately: Use your phone’s built-in security. Opt for a strong PIN, passcode, password, or pattern lock to prevent unauthorised use if it's stolen.
Record your IMEI number: You can find this unique identifier by typing *#06# on your phone's keypad. Keep a note of it somewhere separate from your phone, as it is crucial for tracking the device.
Activate a tracking app: Install and set up a tracking application so you can locate your phone from another device, like a laptop. Do this quickly, before thieves can disable the feature.
Turn off message previews: Disable previews on your lock screen to prevent thieves from seeing messages containing reset or login codes.
Back up your data regularly: Ensure your phone data is backed up automatically over Wi-Fi or by connecting to a computer. Also, store important information like family phone numbers and passwords in another secure location.
