A restaurant has warned customers to "be vigilant" after a man allegedly walked up to a table and distracted diners with a piece of paper - before swiping a phone."

CCTV captures the moment the man appears to steal the device using sleight of hand - from right under a customer's nose.

Adana Turkish with Fusion in Bethnal Green, east London, has now issued a warning after spotting the alleged thief on surveillance footage.

The video appears to show a man distracting a table of three customers with a piece of paper then swiping a mobile phone from underneath it.

The restaurant shared the footage on social media just before 10pm on Bank Holiday Monday along with a warning to "be vigilant."

The Instagram story read: "Last night a man came into our restaurant and stole a customers phone. "

"He distracted the customer with a piece of paper which read something along the lines of he needs help etc."

"He had a car waiting outside and as soon as he exited the shop, he got in the car and drove off. "

"This was fully organised and they must be doing it regularly. "

"Please be vigilant and mindful of your belongings and please share with friends and family."

The Metropolitan Police said it had so far not received any reports of an incident at the restaurant.