A moped gang which uses acid and swords to steal mobile phones for pedestrians have revealed how they pick their victims in an explosive BBC documentary, wrote dailymail.co.uk

Hiding behind fearsome masks, the criminals brag about the ease of stealing £700 iPhones from oblivious commuters, comparing to it 'stealing candy from a baby'.

During a fascinating glimpse inside the gangs which have taken over London's streets, the criminals reveal what makes certain people 'easy pickings'. 

One gangster, calling himself Mr X, takes BBC reporter Livvy Haydock for a ride on the back of his moped and points out how the gangs choose who to attack.

'We are looking for people that are looking down got their phones out with their headphones in, in particular,' he said.

'Anything that's not securely wrapped around someone's shoulder or someone's back, it's very easy for us to snatch and take it

'As soon as it is green, they are unaware to any vehicles coming and for us that is the perfect opportunity because as they're crossing we time it and then we'll grab whatever we can grab and off we go.

'By the time we realise we're already at the second traffic light and we are going right. There's a little estate around the corner.

'All this area here is well known to me so I know exactly where I'm going.' 

Another gangster, called Topkat, opens up about throwing acid in the face of two people in order to snatch phones, before selling them off for up to £250 a piece.

He boasts of owning 'bats, knives, swords', which he claims he will use on pedestrians in the street or during high-value jewelry raids in Mayfair.

When asked if he has used acid, he says: 'A couple of times. Sprayed it in his face just bleeding like, he's burning. Man's shouting and screaming.' 

'If I had my knife on me one of us would have ended up dead, you get me?' 

'Actually don't make me feel too good obviously, but man's not doing it to intentionally hurt them innit. 

'I'm just doing it so they get out the way innit so they don't resist so I can just get my things.'

'I like this stuff, get me? It's easy, get me man, get paid, get me my money. I love it.'

In another interview, Mr X reveals that he has stolen hundreds of mobile phones over a seven-year period.

The 21-year-old, from Islington, north London, said: 'It's like stealing candy from a baby. In 15 to 20 seconds I could get like two or three phones.'

During a ride down one of his favorite hunting spots, Upper Street in Islington, he reveals how pedestrians at crossings and bus stops are among the easiest to target.

He added: 'Traffic is not a problem, red light, not a problem, speed camera I don't give a s**t. I am getting away that's it.'

When asked if people are 'stupid' to walk around with their phones out, Mr X replied: 'Of course, you're asking for it, in my opinion.

I just saw a woman just now crossing the road with her phone, looking down. That's not normal. You're crossing the road, you should have all eyes on the road. 

'There's no rules or regulations to this game. If I have to ill go down a no entry road. Any conditions, it doesn't matter; rain, shine, green, red, no entry, no right turn, it's ours for the taking.

'Even if I have to drive on the pavement I'll go on the pavement.'