CCTV released by the police shows how a thief used sleight of hand and some cunning to distract a woman in a bar and then swipe her mobile phone.
The conman is captured approaching the woman as she is chatting to her partner in an un-named bar in Manchester city centre before drawing her attention to a sheet of paper with writing on it in his hands.
The victim is completely unaware the thief has used the sheet of paper to cover her mobile which is resting on the table top - he uses his fingers to grip the covered mobile phone before folding the paper and calmly walking away with the device.
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The theft was committed by one of a pair of so-called 'phone dippers' behind distraction thefts worth in excess of £16,000 in January this year. They were later jailed.
Phone theft is said to be on the rise - with devices worth a total of £47m stolen in the UK last year.
Now Greater Manchester Police has released the footage as part of Operation Acquire, featuring four days of action across June and July to target thieves.
The two men were jailed for a series of mobile phone thefts at bars and restaurants in Manchester city centre. The first was responsible for thefts reaching a value of £10,000, and the second £6,300, say GMP.
Superintendent Dave Meeney, force lead for theft from person offences, said: "The pair were responsible for around 21 thefts in the city centre during January 2023.
"These two men had a clear set-up, they planned their offences carefully and they continue to have no remorse for the victims, who were understandably affected by these incidents.
"Investigation teams have worked tirelessly to follow up CCTV enquiries and evidence to conclude this investigation and this shows that no matter how organised or sophisticated the group or individual may be, we will thoroughly investigate and make the streets of Greater Manchester a safer place to live and work.
"I would like to take this opportunity to warn the public to be wary of this offence.
"We have released the CCTV showing one of the offenders stealing a mobile phone in a busy restaurant in Greater Manchester to show how easily this can happen.
"It’s so easy to prevent this type of crime – whilst you are out and about, please keep your phone hidden away in a bag which is placed under your table when in a busy restaurant or bar or even in your pocket, making it harder for criminals reach.
"Mobile phones or valuable items left on a table can be easily spotted by criminals as they look for a victim.
"Please be aware of your surroundings, these type of thefts happen so quickly with some instances only taking around 20 seconds for the offender to approach the victim and steal the phone away.”
The force is urging people to know how to identify their phone if it's stolen. Each phone has an IMEI number, this helps police identify the device if it's stolen.
You can find your phone’s IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it; if the phone is stolen, report the number to your mobile provider to stop it being used
Register your valuables on an accredited property database such as The National Property Register, for Phones, Gadgets, Bicycles & More... (immobilise.com)
Remember to never confront criminals or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile phone or valuables.
For more neighbourhood crime prevention advice from GMP, please visit: Crime prevention advice | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)
