This is the moment a thief was caught red-handed CCTV camera stealing a phone from a vulnerable man lying on the side of the street.

Paul Langan was spotted approaching his victim as City of London Police control room staff were monitoring the vulnerable man, who appeared to be sleeping on some steps near Liverpool Street station.

Security cameras captured Langan, 58, stealing that man’s phone in broad daylight before walking away, around 7pm on Friday, April 24.

The cameras continued to track the thief and officers moved in to arrest him.

Officers gave assistance to the man and his phone was returned to him.

Langan, of Old Montague Street, Tower Hamlets, later pleaded guilty to one count of theft from person.

He is now wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court.

Police Constable Sachin Kumar, of the City of London Police, said: “The City of London Police use one of the most advanced CCTV networks in the country, that allows officers and control room staff to move individual cameras and track suspects in real time.

“If it hadn’t been for our cameras and the quick thinking of control room staff, it’s likely that Langan might have got away with his crimes. He is a brazen and opportunistic thief and instead of checking if the man needed assistance, he stole from a person who was in a vulnerable state.

“Langan failed to attend court for his sentencing and a warrant has since been issued for his arrest. We are now urging anyone with information as to his whereabouts to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact City of London Police on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.