A man and two teenage boys snatched 35 phones while riding around south-east London on electric bikes before being caught by police.

       Video footage released by the Met Police showed the thieves targeting people in Bermondsey and Greenwich as they stole ￡20,000 worth of mobile phones.

       At Inner London crown court on on Sep 19, Kie Joyce, 21, from Bermondsey, was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment for conspiracy to steal and driving offences.

       Two 16-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also sentenced for their involvement in the thefts.

       One was handed six months imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Nov 1, while the other received a nine-month supervision requirement at South London magistrates’ court on Feb 26.

       The latter was also subject to a Youth Rehabilitation Order and a curfew requirement and required to pay compensation of ￡425.

       Police later recovered 30 of the phones and returned them to their owners, Inner London crown court heard.

       Footage released by the Met showed the muggers riding up behind their victims on pavements or crossing the road as they swipe their phones from their hands. One clip showed the riders targeting a tourist near the gates of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

       Police Constable Alex Earley, who led the investigation, said: “I am pleased our investigation has brought three offenders to justice for their part to play in a spate of phone thefts in our local area. This demonstrates our commitment to addressing concerns from those living and working here.”

       The Met investigation was launched last year.

       Commander Owain Richards, the lead for mobile phone thefts in London, added: “We understand the impact mobile phone theft can have on victims. It’s an invasive and sometimes violent crime, and we’re committed to protecting Londoners and tackling this issue as we make the capital safer.

       “We continue to use data and technology to build intelligence and track stolen items to target offenders. We are also working with phone firms to ‘design out’ the ability for phones to be reused and sold on as we seek to dismantle the criminal market that fuels robbery and theft.

       “We encourage people to report as soon as they can whenever they have been a victim of mobile phone theft, so officers can investigate swiftly.”