Shocking CCTV shows phone snatched in seconds
The shocking clip was shared by the City of London Police
14:34, 30 Dec 2025 Updated 14:34, 30 Dec 2025
A shocking CCTV video has shown just how quickly a phone can be snatched from a victim’s hands. A man can be seen looking up at an approaching bus as he waits on the pavement in the City.
Suddenly, a hooded figure shoots past on a bike, grabbing the phone from the man wiht ease. Within seconds, he disappears into oncoming traffic adn flees the scene.
The victim doesn’t even have time to react as his data, contacts and banking details get further and further away. City of London Police says people should always be aware of potential criminals out to swipe personal property.
Mobile Phone Theft surges in London: Over 560,000 Phones Stolen in Recent Years
The Metropolitan police has reported a significant rise in mobile phone thefts in London, with over 560,000 devices reported stolen between January 2019 and March 2025. [https://www.mylondon.news/news/london-news/mobile-phone-theft-london-hotspots-28649111]
Westminster has been identified as the borough with the highest incidence of mobile phone theft for both 2023 and 2024. You can view a borough-by-borough ranking of theft numbers here: [https://www.mylondon.news/news/london-news/mobile-phone-theft-london-hotspots-28649111]
the City of London Police offers advice on how to protect yourself and potentially recover your device if it is stolen. Here are key steps to take:
How to Protect Against Mobile Phone Theft:
* Secure Your Phone: Utilize your phone’s security features. Choose a strong PIN, passcode, password, or pattern to prevent unauthorized access.
* Find Your IMEI Number: Discover your phone’s unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by dialing *#06# on your phone. Record this number in a safe place, separate from your device. the IMEI is crucial for tracking a lost or stolen phone. [https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/phones/imei-number]
* Install a Tracking App: Set up a tracking submission on your phone to locate it remotely from another device, such as a laptop.Activate the app as soon as possible, before a thief can disable it. Popular options include Find My (Apple) and Find My Device (Google). https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT210515 & https://www.google.com/android/find
* Disable Message Previews: Turn off message previews on your lock screen to prevent thieves from viewing sensitive details like reset or login codes.
* Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your phone’s data, either automatically via Wi-Fi or by connecting it to a computer. Also, securely store significant contacts and passwords elsewhere.
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