A terrifying dashcam video has emerged from London showing a pair of thieves on a scooter attempting two phone snatches.

In the clip, which was captured from a taxi on August 10 on Clerkenwell Road, the thieves mount the pavement and approach a male pedestrian to attempt the first snatch. When he backs off they appear to think better of it and shoot away down the pavement.

Seconds later they attempt the second snatch, this time from a woman who is walking alone.

They bungle the effort though and her phone falls into the road as they ride away.

The panicked woman then flags down the taxi driver who explains he has no way of catching the thieves but he kindly offers her lift home for free.