Look out, you're being robbed by a hugger mugger

Police today issued a warning to West End revellers to beware of "hugger mugger" robbers targeting pedestrians.

Scotland Yard revealed the thieves - who befriend their victims before stealing wallets or phones - are now responsible for 60 per cent of muggings in Westminster. These pictures show a robber chatting to a victim in Old Compton Street, Soho.

He then persuades the victim to accompany him in a drunken dance while he relieves him of his wallet, circled, handing it to an accomplice, who empties it and drops it on to the pavement.

Detectives first became aware of the offence a few years ago and it is now commonplace. Detective Inspector Sean Oxley said: "Basically it is strangers coming up to people and trying to befriend them and hugging them. There are people who try and dance with you while another method is for someone to play football with you in the street with a can. They try anything to get close so they can grab a wallet or a phone."

The "hugger muggers" often pretend to be drunk themselves and target people coming out of pubs and clubs in the early hours.

Police advise the public to drink safely, be aware of unsolicited approaches and report offences immediately. Officers emphasise that robbery in the area is down to around 50 offences a month.