A Chinese student turned the tables on a phone thief last week, chasing him through Tottenham Court Road Tube station before detaining him until police arrived.
The dramatic incident, captured on video and uploaded to Red Note, shows the student pursuing the suspect down an escalator and onto the platform.
Police confirmed a 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft following the incident on Wednesday, May 7.
The incident began when the alleged thief approached the student and started a conversation, seemingly to distract him.
The incident highlights London's growing phone snatching epidemic, which has reached crisis levels across the capital
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Within seconds, the man snatched the phone and fled into the Tube station.
The student gave chase, eventually cornering the suspect on the platform.
Video footage shows him restraining the thief in a "vice-like grip" before retrieving his phone.
He then guarded the suspect until police and Transport for London staff arrived.
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One mobile phone is stolen every six minutes in the capitalXThe incident highlights London's growing phone snatching epidemic, which has reached crisis levels across the capital.
Figures reveal there were 22,253 phone snatching incidents reported in Westminster alone in the year leading up to September 2024.
This equates to 85.4 thefts per 1,000 people in the area.
Police say victims as young as four years old are being targeted by thieves.
The problem is particularly acute in tourist hotspots around central London.
Paul, who works by the London Eye, told MailOnline: "I see it all the time. I would say every day. It's worst around this touristy part of London - particularly along Westminster Bridge."
"It happens to tourists a lot because they're unaware," he added.
This surge in crime has prompted increased police efforts to combat phone theftsMetropolitan Police The 51-year-old claimed he sees the same culprits repeatedly.
Ovye, who works for a bus tour company, said thieves target "anyone" - even children.
"I once saw someone snatch a phone out of a little girl's hand while she was taking a picture. She can't have been more than four years old. Unbelievable."
Met Police commander Owain Richards told MailOnline: "We understand the impact that mobile phone theft can have on victims - it's an invasive and sometimes violent crime."
He said officers are targeting hotspot areas including Westminster, Lambeth and Newham with increased patrols.
Police are also working with phone manufacturers to "design out" the ability for stolen phones to be reused and sold on.
Richards urged victims to report thefts promptly "so officers can investigate swiftly."
