Video: Saudi tourist foils phone theft in London

Dubai:  A Saudi tourist turned the tables on a would-be thief in central London last week, forcefully reclaiming his phone in a confrontation captured on video and widely shared on social media.

The footage shows the man, identified by online users as Saud bin Huraiol Al Subaie, wrestling a suspect to the ground after an attempted theft on a busy London street. In the clip, Al-Subaie pins the alleged thief described as a Black male using his arms and legs to restrain him while onlookers watch, some attempting to intervene. 

At one point, he grips the suspect by the neck to prevent escape, angrily rebuking him before securing his phone and walking away unharmed.

The incident has drawn cheers online due to the growing concerns over street crime in London, where tourists are frequently targeted. 

No police report was filed in the altercation, and neither the Saudi tourist nor the alleged thief sustained injuries.

A similar yet sucessful theft attempt also happened days ago when a crew from Saudi news channel Al-Ekhbariya was robbed while filming a report on rising thefts in the city. In that case, a thief swiped equipment as journalists worked on Oxford Street, a hotspot for phone snatching.

London has seen a surge in phone thefts, with one device stolen every 15 minutes last year, totaling 94 a day, according to police data. Many thefts involve thieves on motorcycles or e-bikes snatching phones from pedestrians’ hands.

In response, retailers and authorities have launched safety campaigns, including purple warning lines painted along Oxford Street sidewalks, akin to the Underground’s “Mind the Gap”, reminding pedestrians to stay alert and conceal valuables.

“Having your phone stolen isn’t just about losing a device, it cuts people off from loved ones, finances, and daily life,” said Ed Connolly, commercial director of Currys, a UK electronics chain training staff to assist theft victims.

Kate Johnston, of the anti-crime charity Crimestoppers, urged witnesses to report suspicious activity: “Even small details can prevent future crimes and make streets safer.”