Two prolific bag thieves jailed after City of London pub theft spree

Two prolific bag thieves were jailed after a theft spree that targeted pubgoers in the City of London, with incidents that spanned several venues during after-work hours. Police described Daniel Ramzi, 26, and Abderrahim Mamma, 29, as carrying out a string of brazen thefts across pubs and restaurants in the City, including a day when officers say they stole substantial valuables from multiple victims in a single shift. The case underscores the threat to people enjoying social time in the aftermath of work and the City's resolve to pursue thefts committed within its boundaries.

On January 15, the pair were captured on CCTV at the Golden Goose in Leadenhall Market as Ramzi leaned over a barrier and grabbed a man’s backpack, pulling out a £500 laptop and transferring it into their own bag before returning the victim’s rucksack to the cobbles and making a swift exit. That same day, they also pinched a £650 mobile phone from a victim’s coat pocket at a Five Guys in Bishopsgate and made off with an £800 laptop from a man’s bag at the Cross Keys pub on Gracechurch Street. Their spree on that day contributed to a total the court described as £1,950 worth of valuables stolen in a single day.

Less than a week later, on January 21, the pair re-emerged in criminal activity across the City. They entered the Lord Aberconway on Old Broad Street, where Ramzi slid a bag from a pile and replaced it with a different one. They approached a second group and carried out another bag swap before leaving with a £500 haul. On the same day they also stole a £650 mobile phone and an £800 laptop from other punters, illustrating a continuing pattern of opportunistic thefts targeting people in public venues.

Ramzi and Mamma, both of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft each. Mamma also admitted to an additional seven theft offences outside the City. He was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to 20 months in prison and was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering the City of London for five years. Ramzi was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to 14 months in prison.

Sergeant James Wood, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This is another great result in seeing two prolific bag thieves behind bars. We hope that these sentences will give reassurance to businesses and members of the public that we take such offences very seriously. Our warning to criminals: don’t come into the City to steal bags. We will bring those committing crimes in the City to justice and we will use all of our resources to help prevent and deter any further criminal activities.”

The case reflects ongoing efforts by City of London Police to deter thefts in and around pubs and restaurants, and to hold those who target pedestrians and diners accountable. Authorities note that the city remains vigilant in safeguarding both residents and visitors who enjoy the after-work social scene, and they emphasize that prosecutions and deterrence will continue as a priority for the force.