Cyclist snatches mobile in speed raid

The moment the phone is taken, the handset's screen showing as a bright blur on the CCTV Credit: City of London Police CCTV

A man walking through the City of London using his phone had it nicked in the blink of an eye by a cyclist riding by at speed.

City of London Police has released CCTV of the incident, in which the phone is grabbed out of the man's hand as he walks along Fetter Lane.

It happened at 5.15pm on 26th January.

In CCTV released by police, the 41-year-old man is seen walking along the pavement using his mobile phone. Suddenly a cyclist mounts the pavement.

The moment the phone is taken Credit: City of London Police

Within a second, the rider snatches the phone right out of the man's hand and rides off with two other men on bikes.

The suspect is described as a white man wearing a grey hooded top with white bottoms.

The man gives chase as the thief cycles off Credit: City of London Police

City of London Police said phone snatches have increased over the last year in London, with the majority of thefts taking place between 6pm and 10pm.

Victims tend to be approached from behind, while they have been holding their phone or using it in the street.

Offenders, either on mopeds or bicycles, ride on to the pavement and snatch the phone, sometimes using force to knock the phone out of the victim’s hands or assaulting them to take it.

Inspector Doug Blackwood said: "We advise the public to be vigilant when using their phone out and about on the street in London.

"Try not to walk and text at the same time, not only does it put you at risk of injury, the distraction of texting also leaves you vulnerable.

"If you really need to make a phone call in a public place, try and keep the conversation as brief as possible."

You can watch the full CCTV of the incident below.