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Their mobile phones were stolen in London. Then the threats started

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Police officers search a secondhand phone shop in north London on Sept 25, 2025.

Police officers searching a secondhand phone shop in north London on Sept 25, 2025.

PHOTO: ANDREW TESTA/NYTIMES

Lizzie Dearden and Amelia Nierenberg

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The crime Mr Alex Pikula reported to the police was one they had heard before: An e-bike rider had zoomed past as Mr Pikula left a theatre in London’s West End, ripping his phone from his hands.

It was frustrating, Mr Pikula thought, but that was that.

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