A man had his £450 smart phone snatched from his hands on a train between Gipsy Hill and Crystal Palace.

British Transport Police (BTP) investigators have released CCTV images of a man they would like to question in connection with the theft which happened on April 4 between 7pm and 7.30pm.

The victim, a 23-year-old from Carshalton, was sitting near one of the carriage doors on a London Bridge to West Croydon service and playing a game on his HTC phone, worth £450.

When the service stopped at Gipsy Hill, he became aware of a man standing nearby.

Detective Constable Paula Eustace said: “As the service arrived at Crystal Palace the man suddenly grabbed the victim’s phone.

“The victim tried to hold on to the phone but the man was able to prize it from his grasp before making a quick escape from the train.

“We’ve made local enquiries, including circulating images on police intelligence systems, in a bid to identify the man responsible but to no avail so far.

“If you recognise the man, or have any information about the incident then we would like to hear from you.”

Police are also warning passengers to be alert when using mobile phones or mp3 players.

DC Eustace added: “Thieves see Smartphones as rich pickings due to their high sell-on value.

“Typically they target passengers who are using their phones or other electronic items out in the open, because the potential victims are more likely to be distracted, making it easier for them to snatch the items.

“We aren’t asking people to stop using their mobile phones, but to be more aware of their surroundings when using the high-tech devices in public as this will help greatly reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime.”

Anyone with information, or who recognises the man pictured in the CCTV images, should contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference BX/LSA of 2/06/11.