NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

A thief exposed his face on camera while cutting through the lock of a £3,000 bike in front of shoppers.

The brazen daylight heist happened outside Surrey Quays shopping centre in south-east London on Saturday.

A young looking lad used an angle grinder to free the Trek as his balaclava-clad accomplice on a scooter kept watch.

The theft was filmed by cycling enthusiast Martin Pelant who questioned them by asking ‘Is that your bike?’

At one point the boy with the cutting tool turned to face the camera and clearly displayed his face.

He grunted ‘huh’ nonchalantly before getting back to smashing the lock.

Martin told the cycling website road.cc: ‘I focused on the one I could get a clear face of. I just hope someone might recognise them and they get arrested. 

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‘I never would have thought that something like this could happen in broad daylight with an angle grinder.’

He added: ‘Another bystander was already on the phone with the police, who arrived after 15 minutes. The shopping centre security is unfortunately located at the other entrance.’

The video continues to show the metal lock breaking and the thief ripping the broken pieces away from the bicycle.

The nervous thieves can be seen looking around them as they start to make off with the bike.

One of them scampers to collect his Flannels shopping bag which had blown away, before jumping into the saddle and fleeing the scene.

Locals expressed shock at the absence of security and shared tips on keeping valuables safe.

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The Metropolitan Police said it was alerted at 1.32pm.

A spokesperson said: ‘Officers attended and conducted initial enquiries. No arrests; enquiries continue. Anyone with information that could assist is asked to contact police.’

MORE : Delivery man caught on doorbell camera ‘stealing teenager’s bike’

MORE : Bungling bike thief jailed after leaving bag behind containing his ID

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