Sonny Stringer, a 28-year-old known for his audacious phone snatching activities, has been sentenced to two years in prison. Stringer, who managed to steal 24 mobile phones in just one morning, was finally apprehended by City of London Police officers after a high-speed chase through the streets of the city on March 26, 2024.
A statement issued by the City of London police said the incident began at around 11:15 a.m. when a woman standing on Blackfriars Bridge had her iPhone 15 snatched right out of her hand by Stringer. The theft was reported to the police almost immediately, triggering a swift response from the City of London Police. Control officers, using the City’s extensive camera network, quickly picked up Stringer and an unknown accomplice as they raced through the city on electric motorbikes.
Chief Superintendent William Duffy, who oversaw the operation, spoke on the significance of the case. “Phone snatching has a significant impact on victims, and it is right that Stringer received a custodial sentence for his actions. This case highlights the City of London Police’s commitment to detecting and bringing to justice those who prey on the public.”
He went on to commend the team effort involved in capturing Stringer. “This was a coordinated effort, from our control team tracking the suspects via CCTV and communicating with officers on the ground, to the response officers who made quick, critical decisions to protect the public and apprehend the suspect. Our investigators also played a crucial role in tracking down victims from across London, returning their valuable mobile phones, and ensuring a guilty verdict was secured.”
The police were able to follow Stringer’s path as he and his accomplice sped through the city. Control Officer Lynn Newins, who was on duty when the first call came in, described the tense moments that followed.
“I received a call from a witness who had seen the phone snatching on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge. My colleague Damon spotted the suspects on our cameras, and we immediately began relaying information to officers on the ground.
“We managed the cameras ourselves, which allowed us to track the criminals swiftly. I remember seeing them racing through Cheapside and warning the officers that they were ‘going like the clappers,’ with members of the public having to dodge out of their way.”
The chase intensified as Stringer and his accomplice tried to evade the police. On Fetter Lane, they narrowly missed pedestrians at a crossing while traveling at speeds nearing 50 mph. Stringer’s reckless driving put many lives at risk as he overtook a stationary bus and attempted to mount the pavement in front of it.
However, Road Police Officer PC Smith, who is trained in tactical pursuit and containment (TPAC), made the decision to initiate ‘tactical contact’ with Stringer’s electric bike. The maneuver, which was captured on CCTV, prevented Stringer from riding into the path of a family pushing a buggy.
The TPAC maneuver, which involved making contact with the rear wheel of Stringer’s bike, caused him to lose control and fall off the bike. Despite his attempt to flee on foot, he was quickly apprehended by the officers.
As he was arrested, Stringer threw a black Faraday bag away from him. The bag was later found to contain 22 stolen mobile phones. Two additional phones were discovered on the ground near the site of the tactical contact.
Stringer was subsequently charged with multiple counts of theft and dangerous driving. During his sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court on August 8, 2024, he received 20 months for each of the theft charges, which will run concurrently. An additional four months were added to his sentence for dangerous driving.
The successful capture of Stringer was a moment of triumph for the City of London Police, especially for the control room team who rarely witness the direct outcomes of their efforts. Control Officer Lynn Newins reflected on the success of the operation.
“Working in control, you often don’t hear about the success stories as they tend to unfold later. Being part of this operation and seeing the recovery of so many stolen phones was a big win.
“I’ve spoken to many victims of phone snatching, and losing their phones is devastating to them. People carry their entire lives on their phones, and it’s not a minor crime to them.”
The rise in phone snatching incidents in London has been a growing concern for both the public and law enforcement. Mobile phones, which have become essential to everyday life, are a prime target for thieves who can quickly sell them on the black market.
The City of London Police have been intensifying efforts to combat this crime, utilizing advanced technology and coordinated operations to track and apprehend offenders.
Chief Superintendent Duffy urged the public to remain vigilant, especially when using their mobile phones on the streets. “We’d urge people to be aware of their surroundings and limit the opportunities for criminals by reducing the number of times they take out their phones while on the street.”
Stringer’s case serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by such criminals and the importance of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to keep the streets of London safe. The two-year sentence handed down to Stringer reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact they have on his victims.
