Professional Thieves Target London Pubs in Brazen Bag Thefts
In a shocking display of audacity, two thieves were captured on CCTV calmly rifling through strangers' bags and stealing valuable items while their victims stood chatting nearby in a central London pub. The incident, which occurred on Cannon Street, highlights the growing boldness of professional criminals operating in the capital.
Seven Minutes of Calculated Theft
Footage shows Majazy Latif, 28, and Youcef Aliouat, 32, arriving at the pub on Thursday, August 14, 2025, and positioning themselves near a pile of bags left by other patrons. Despite the bar having numerous empty seats, the pair deliberately pulled a chair in front of the bags and placed their own rucksack among the pile to blend in.
After ordering drinks, the thieves spent nearly seven minutes methodically searching through the belongings. At one point, Latif can be seen removing a laptop from a victim's bag and transferring it to another bag he was holding. Throughout the entire process, people standing and walking nearby remained completely unaware of the theft occurring right beside them.
Substantial Prison Sentences Handed Down
According to City of London Police, Latif pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft between August 6 and September 25, 2025, involving approximately £14,250 worth of personal belongings, primarily laptops stolen from licensed premises across the City of London. He received a 23-month prison sentence and a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering the City.
Aliouat was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing nine laptops between August 14 and October 6, 2025, and received a similar five-year ban from the Square Mile. Both men were described by police as "professional criminals" who operated with remarkable calmness and precision.
Additional Theft Incident Revealed
Further investigation revealed that Latif had been involved in another similar theft just days earlier. CCTV captured him with a different accomplice, Mounir Ghilas, 28, stealing a laptop from a bar in Aldgate on August 6, 2025. Ghilas, who had no fixed address, was jailed last year for 18 months after pleading guilty to 18 counts of theft.
In that incident, the two thieves sat at a table next to a group of people, with Ghilas removing a victim's laptop from their bag and placing it into his own bag before both left the venue.
Police Warning to Pubgoers
Police Constable Pradip Gurung of the City of London Police's Volume Crime Unit issued a stern warning to the public following the convictions. "These are professional criminals who took their time when preying on other people's belongings," he stated. "The thieves operated with audacity, standing by the bar and committing their crimes while their victims were just nearby having a drink."
Gurung emphasized that while people shouldn't have to worry about their bags being stolen while socializing, professional criminals will exploit any opportunity. "If you leave your belongings in a bag pile, please don't stray too far away from it and keep a close eye on your belongings," he advised. "Please be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police."
A Growing Pattern of Professional Theft
The case reveals a concerning pattern of organized theft in London's licensed premises, with criminals specifically targeting valuable electronics left unattended by patrons. The thieves' method of blending in with other drinkers and operating in plain sight demonstrates a sophisticated approach to urban crime.
Police investigations showed that both Latif and Aliouat specifically targeted laptops, suggesting they were following a profitable criminal business model. Their calm demeanor during the thefts, captured clearly on CCTV, indicates they were experienced operators who had refined their techniques over time.
The substantial sentences reflect the seriousness with which the courts view this type of organized, professional theft in public venues. The Criminal Behaviour Orders banning both men from the City of London for five years represent an additional measure to protect businesses and patrons in the area.
