TV personality Robert Rinder said he was left in “shock” after his phone was snatched in north London on Wednesday evening.
 
The Judge Rinder host, 42, said he was willing to offer a financial reward to anyone with information about the incident reported in the Finchley Road and Canfield Gardens area. 
 
He tweeted that three “boys wearing balaclavas on bikes” had stolen his phone and “laughed” as he shouted at them to drop it. 
 
“I’m in shock but am insured and privileged. Others are less lucky.  Help me find these people & stop them (financial reward),” he wrote shortly after the incident.
 
Mr Rinder stressed that phones were a “lifeline” to loved ones particularly during lockdown. “For thousands of other victims this means being cut off or losing a fortune.”
 
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers had received a report of a theft at 8.40pm on Wednesday on Finchley Road.
 
“Three males dressed in black approached the victim and took his mobile phone. Enquiries are on-going. No arrests at this early stage,” the force said, declining to name the victim.