Police in Nottingham have released remarkable CCTV footage showing a brazen pickpocket using a bizarre dance routine to distract his victim before stealing a mobile phone.
The Bizarre Theft Caught on Camera
The incident occurred on Clumber Street in Nottingham city centre shortly after 7.30am on November 16. The suspect approached a man and immediately engaged him in conversation, beginning with a friendly fist bump before launching into his unusual performance.
In what police describe as a calculated distraction theft, the criminal placed one leg between the victim's legs and began jumping up and down in a strange rhythmic motion. This peculiar dance served as the perfect cover while he skilfully removed the man's mobile phone from his pocket.
Police Investigation Reveals Deliberate Deception
Nottinghamshire Police released the footage on Monday and are urgently appealing to the public for help identifying the suspect. Inspector Paul Gummer of the city centre neighbourhood policing team revealed that officers traced the offender's movements back to a nearby McDonald's branch.
"We examined CCTV from the nearby branch and were able to obtain a clear image of the person responsible for this distraction theft," Inspector Gummer stated. "He does not appear to be intoxicated on the McDonald's CCTV just minutes before the theft but gave that impression when he was with the victim."
Police believe the thief deliberately pretended to be drunk to make the victim think he was simply being jovial and posed no threat. After successfully taking the phone, the suspect was captured on camera hiding it behind his back before making his escape.
A Warning to the Public
Inspector Gummer issued a strong warning about this particular method of theft, noting that similar incidents have occurred both in Nottingham and across the country. "Distraction thefts of this nature have happened in the past," he said.
"It is common for the offender to claim the strange dance is a traditional cultural dance from their country. To be clear - it is absolutely not a cultural dance - it's a cynical attempt to distract attention away from the victim's pockets."
With the festive season underway, police are encouraging the public to be particularly vigilant against this type of brazen crime. They advise people to watch out for themselves and others, especially those who might be "slightly too merry" to recognise what's happening to them.
Anyone who recognises the man in the footage is urged to contact Nottinghamshire Police immediately.
