Police are urging the public to be extra vigilant when using their mobile phones on Chiswick streets after an epidemic of snatch type thefts hits the area.

Over the past six days there have been 5 thefts all with a similar modus operandi. The victim has been on the phone, either talking or texting, when a youth on a bike has cycled up behind them and snatched their mobile phone. In all cases the crime occurred so quickly that the victim has been unable to give a full description of the thief.

The first incident occurred on Devonshire Road on Tuesday the second of August at around 9.00pm. A group of four or five male youths aged between 14 and 16 were seen cycling in the area before the phone was stolen.

The next day on Corney Reach a woman had her phone stolen by one of a group of ten male youths on bikes. This incident occurred at 8.30pm. Then on Sunday the 7th August there was a theft on Heathfield Terrace at 5.05pm. This time the victim saw a male youth aged around 16 on a mountain bike with a light blue hooded top.

On the 8th August there were two thefts within minutes of each other. Firstly two male youths wearing baseball caps were seen on bikes before a phone was taken at 1.20 pm then five minutes later on Sutton Court Road a male youth wearing a dark hooded top snatched a phone and rode way.

If you have any information relating to these crimes you are asked to call the burglary squad on 020 8247 5940.

August 9, 2005