By TOM LAWRENCE, NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:44 BST, 30 September 2025 | Updated: 14:10 BST, 30 September 2025
An unsuspecting mother had her phone stolen by a brazen pickpocket as she browsed for clothes with her child in a buggy.The young woman was searching through the rails at a shop when the thief approached her from behind.She snatched the phone from the mother's coat pocket, with the victim blissfully unaware of her presence.The pickpocket initially struggled as the mother bent down to look at clothing on the lower shelf, but waited around ten seconds to eventually grab the phone.The victim, who was wearing a black coat and black head scarf, did not realise straight away.It was captured on CCTV cameras at Cut Label in the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre on Ripple Road in Barking at 11.05am on Friday, September 26. However the police have closed the case already, despite the footage appearing to catch the culprit red handed. Another crook watched on as the theft took place in front of them. The thief snatched the phone from the mother's coat pocket while she was browsing clothes The theft was captured on CCTV cameras at Cut Label in the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre on Ripple Road in Barking Another crook watched on as the theft took place in the clothes shop in LondonThe cousin of the victim - who doesn't want to be named - said: 'She was shopping and distracted with her young child.'So they would have noticed her and then mugged her knowing she was busy.''The police have been informed, they're likely to be going around stealing.'One local said: 'The victim is the one in the black head scarf leaning over, she also has a child in a buggy.'The suspect is the one in the black leather jacket, she leans into the suspect to reach her pocket and take the phone.'There were two pickpockets but one stayed back to look out for the other one.'A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We received a report on Friday, September 26, of a woman having her phone stolen from her pocket on Ripple Road, Barking.'Officers reviewed available investigative opportunities including CCTV and forensics.'The investigation has since been filed due to a lack of positive lines of enquiry.'
