Stringer targeted tourists and commuters across the capital, leveraging his high-powered e-bike to evade capture. He mounted pavements, narrowly missed pedestrians, and reached speeds of up to 50mph while fleeing from the police.

During his crime spree on March 26, Stringer sped through busy city streets, running red lights and outpacing a police patrol vehicle in a desperate bid to escape. His high-speed flight ended when officers, who had been tracking him via CCTV, used an unmarked car to execute a tactical contact that knocked him off his bike.

The decision to perform the tactical contact came after officers assessed that Stringer was about to mount the pavement in the direction of a family pushing a buggy. Hurtling along Cheapside towards the Bank of England, Stringer overtook a bus before veering towards the pavement to evade capture. The unmarked car clipped his back wheel, ending the high-speed pursuit.

After falling from his bike, Stringer attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. He discarded a bag containing 22 stolen phones, with two additional phones found nearby.

Appearing at Isleworth Crown Court, Stringer admitted to snatching 24 phones within the hour. He was sentenced to 20 months for theft and an additional four months for dangerous driving. The City of London Police, who brought him to justice, described him as the capital’s “most notorious phone snatcher.”