Two audacious thieves, whose brazen actions were captured in clear CCTV footage as they rummaged through pubgoers' belongings, have been sentenced to prison terms. Majazy Latif, aged 28, and Youcef Aliouat, 32, were filmed stealing a laptop from a bar on Cannon Street in east London, while their victims stood nearby completely unaware of the crime.
Shameless Theft Caught on Camera
In the footage released by City of London Police, the duo, described as professional criminals, spent approximately seven minutes meticulously searching through patrons' bags placed on the floor near the bar. Bar staff remained oblivious throughout the entire incident. After ordering a drink, Aliouat strategically pulled a chair in front of the bags to conceal his illicit activities from view.
Latif and Aliouat then proceeded to scour through the personal possessions until they discovered a laptop. They calmly removed the device and placed it into their own rucksack. The concluding moments of the video show Latif shamelessly sipping his beverage while casually strolling to another section of the venue, the stolen laptop securely hidden in his bag.
A Pattern of Criminal Behaviour
This incident was far from isolated. Both men were put behind bars this week for a series of thefts committed across London. Majazy Latif received a jail sentence of 23 months after pleading guilty to nine counts of theft occurring between August 6 and September 25, 2025. His criminal spree resulted in the theft of personal belongings valued at nearly £15,000.
Youcef Aliouat was handed an 18-month prison term for stealing nine laptops between August 14 and October 6, 2025. In another crime captured on CCTV, Aliouat was spotted stealing a laptop at a bar in Aldgate, east London, on August 6 of the previous year. He committed this offence with Mounir Ghilas, 28, who was jailed last year for 18 months after pleading guilty to 18 counts of theft.
Police Condemn Professional Criminality
Following the sentencing, Police Constable Pradip Young stated: 'These are professional criminals, who took their time when preying on other people’s belongings and transferring valuables from their victims’ bags to their own.' He added, 'The thieves operated with audacity, standing by the bar and committing their crimes while their victims were just nearby having a drink. Latif and Aliouat spotted an opportunity and calmly stole from others while blending in to look like other City drinkers.'
London's Widespread Theft Epidemic
This case highlights a broader crime wave affecting the capital. In 2025, millions of pounds worth of items were stolen on London's streets, with thieves specifically targeting high-value goods such as mobile phones, watches, and jewellery. Notably, these crimes are not confined to London's most deprived neighbourhoods. Criminals have increasingly ventured into the capital's most affluent districts, including Mayfair and Westminster, in search of expensive items.
Data collected in December revealed that 3,207 items, each valued at over £1,000, were snatched last year. The total estimated value of these stolen goods exceeds £5 million, with some watches looted being worth as much as £30,000.
Westminster Identified as Theft Hotspot
Westminster has been identified as the primary hotspot for various types of theft. Between January 2024 and August 2025, the central London borough recorded 363 handbags, 309 watches, and 104 jewellery items stolen. High-profile victims of muggings in London over the past year include Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour, Loose Women presenter Christine Lampard, and Brittny, wife of former Formula One champion Jenson Button.
This escalating crime wave is partly fuelled by international elements. Gangs of prolific thieves are entering the United Kingdom from countries such as Algeria and Bulgaria with the specific intent of stealing thousands of pounds worth of belongings from unsuspecting members of the public. The case of Latif and Aliouat serves as a stark reminder of the organised and brazen nature of modern theft in urban centres.
