Model’s fury at phone snatchers after they take her mobile twice in three months

‘There is a concerted effort by criminal gangs to steal phones and sell them overseas as part of a multi-million-pound industry.

‘The Met is catching more of these criminals and operations such as this are vital to disrupting offenders who cause fear and misery to shop workers and communities.’

The force also carried out a two week focus at the start of the year,leading to the arrests of 292 people.

In footage released by the Metropolitan Police,one plain clothed police officer is seen spotting a phone snatcher,in a dark blue backwards baseball cap and black jacket in Oxford Circus.

The thief had targeted an elderly person in the tourist hot spot,but one officer spotted the attack and tackled him to the ground in front of shocked pedestrians.