‘Zombies on phones’ see moped gang thefts surge

MARAUDING gangs of thieves on mopeds are targeting ‘phone zombies’ on one of Britain’s busiest streets.

Police have warned of a surge in thefts from people staring at their smartphones on Oxford Street in central London.

As one masked thug steers the moped, an accomplice riding pillion snatches phones from the grasp of those talking on or staring at them.

Thefts on Oxford Street have rocketed by 2,100 per cent in the past two years – from 13 in 2014-15 to 291 last year.

Each phone can be sold for about £200 and some thieves make off with dozens a day.

Dr Simon Harding, professor of criminology at the University of West London, said mopedenabled thefts were the ‘crime of the moment’. He said: ‘People are phone zombies. They are on their phone walking along the street, bumping into people, not knowing where they are going.’

Superintendent Mark Payne, of the Metropolitan Police, added: ‘These offenders rely on the unwariness of the public to snatch their phones while they make calls.

‘It is so important that the public is aware of their surroundings at all times.’

The Mail has highlighted how scooter gangs are snatching thousands of bags and phones. Victims include former Chancellor George Osborne, who was ‘stunned’ when a moped thief mounted the pavement in a futile attempt to snatch his phone last October.

There were 19,385 mopedenabled crimes in the capital from January to September last year. In November, the Met unveiled lighter, faster motorcycles to chase the gangs.

‘Unwariness of the public’