Police have released CCTV footage which illustrates the ease with which thieves can snatch a mobile phone from their victims.
Officers issued the short film as part of a campaign to urge people to exercise caution when using their phones in the street.
The 28-year-old woman was targeted as she walked along Law Street, in Belgrave, Leicester. The attack was over in seconds. The thief approached her from behind, grabbed the phone from her hand and ran away.
Inspector Simon Preston, commander of city centre police, said the force had chosen the CCTV because it illustrated how easily and quickly the thief stole the woman's phone.
Insp Preston said: "We want to continue to raise people's awareness that these thefts continue to be a problem.
"The CCTV we have released shows clearly how easy it is.
"We want people to be aware of their surroundings and to be careful when they use their phones in public.
"Now, with the darker evenings, the light of their phones will make them stand out and potentially attract thieves. We want to keep this message out there as Christmas and the new year approach."
The campaign, which also covers other types of theft, such as those in pubs and nightclubs and purse "dipping", was launched in October.
At the time, city centre police said November 2013 had seen thefts rise to a high of 126.
Officers believe the city had been targeted by travelling thieves who had spent the summer visiting major festivals to steal.
However, last month's total was 46, as the anticipated rise in crime did not happen.
Insp Preston said: "That is good news, but we will keep the campaign going. After Christmas and into the new year a lot of people will have new phones and other valuables."
Police are encouraging people to register valuables on the national Immobilise website. It helps police return recovered stolen goods, such as phones, jewellery and bikes, to their rightful owners.
Neil Stewart, director of Ltd, which runs the Immobilise site, said: "At this time of year, it is especially important items such as phones, tablets, laptops and bikes are registered on Immobilise at the earliest opportunity, ideally before they are wrapped.
"If the worst should happen, registration of possessions often results in speedy identification and return by police."
For more information, go to:
www.immobilise.com
