A woman had her mobile phone snatched from her hands near the Town Hall on Thursday.
The victim, 30, was in George Street at 5.30pm when a man on a BMX who had been cycling slowly around several members of the public in the area beforehand, grabbed her phone.
The offender is described as thin, wearing a light-coloured hooded top and darka bottoms, and he cycled off along Wellington Street.
PC Lucy Craddock said: “I urge members of the public to take extra care when using their mobile telephones while out and about during the dark winter nights. I would also encourage anyone who was in the George Street area of Luton on Thursday to come forward and speak with officers if they noticed a man on a bike matching this description. These people may have further information that could help identify the man responsible for this crime and help stop this happening to another innocent person.”
Anyone with information relating to this investigation can contact PC Craddock, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively, contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.