Cricklewood phone thief targeted tourist in Oxford Circus

Sofian Hadar, of Cricklewood Broadway, was targeting people in one of London’s busiest streets on August 30.

Footage taken in the area shows Hadar following an unsuspecting tourist and trying to steal the phone from his pocket, before Hadar was tackled by two Metropolitan Police officers in plain clothes.

Hadar was arrested and the phone was returned to its owner, a heart surgeon on holiday from Egypt.

On Wednesday (November 7), Hadar pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court to 11 months in prison.

Sofian Hadar was caught stealing a phone in Oxford Circus (Image: Met Police)

Detective Superintendent Saj Hussain, who leads on phone robbery and theft in the Met, said: “Thanks to these observant and fast-acting officers another mobile phone thief has been taken off the streets of London.

“We understand the impact robbery can have on victims and we also recognise that there is still much more to do to tackle the problem as we make London safer.

“Met officers are targeting resources in hotspot areas with increased patrols and plain clothes officers - and this result makes clear this approach is having a positive impact.

“We encourage people to report as soon as they can whenever they have been the victim of a robbery or theft so officers can attend the scene and investigate swiftly.”