This is the shocking moment a man has his £1,000 iPhone taken straight out of his hand by a moped driver in a high speed broad daylight robbery.
Peter, 28, who did not want to give his surname, was walking to a driving theory test on Tower Bridge Road, London on February 10 when the the brand new device was stolen.
The victim believes the heartless crooks were following him for some time in the busy tourist trap area before speeding in on him from behind.
The iPhone, which Peter got as a Christmas present, was unlocked at the time so he has the added concerns of his data and bank details being stolen.
Moped thefts of this manner are common across London as the Metropolitan Police recorded around 8,611 moped-related crimes last year.
The moped thief approaches Peter from behind on the pavement
The criminal eyes up his victim before deciding on an angle to swoop in on
The driver accelerates as he gets closer to Peter
The incident happened on Tower Bridge Road which is a very busy tourists trap in central London
Have you been victim of moped criminal? Email: [email protected]
Peter spotted a CCTV camera on a nearby shop and managed to secure footage of the incident.
Police said they are investigating the theft but so far no arrests have been made.
Victim Peter said: ‘I know how notorious these moped thieves are. I always thought I was vigilant enough to not have it happen to me.
‘I was walking to my driving theory exam and had my phone out to check on the map.
‘Suddenly I felt a bump on my right shoulder and in a split second, I could feel the guy on the moped had put his hand on my phone.
‘The criminal then jumped onto the road and crossed two traffic lanes. I stopped chasing him because of the traffic – I didn’t want to put myself in danger and be hit by a car.
‘It seemed like they had been trailing behind me for some time – otherwise why would he be on the pedestrian walkway?’
The device was unlocked when it was stolen – so Peter fears the thieves could have access to his bank details.
He said: ‘I was quite worried as my phone was unlocked when it was snatched.
‘I don’t want the criminal to have access to my data and bank details.’
Peter and his girlfriend reported the crime to the Metropolitan Police.
The petty criminal grabs the iPhone out of Peter’s hand before accelerating away
Peter tries in vain to run after the moped theif
It is believed the same vehicle has been involved in multiple thefts of the same nature in London.
The couple are frustrated the culprits are yet to be caught.
Scotland Yard said: ‘Police are investigating a moped-enabled mobile phone theft that took place on Tower Bridge Road, SE1 at around 09:35hrs on Saturday, 10 February.
‘A man was walking on the pavement when a moped approached from behind and the rider stole his phone.
‘No reports of any injuries. No arrests; enquiries into the circumstances continue.
‘Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote ref: 3004548/24.’
Have you been victim of moped criminal? Email: [email protected]