An esteemed architect thwarted a gang of moped thieves armed with angle grinders who tried to steal his bicycle from outside a restaurant.

Ben Derbyshire, a former president of the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), wrestled the thieves as they targeted his £2,500 Brompton bike from outside a cafe in Hackney, east London.

Mr Derbyshire, 70, who was RIBA president between 2017 and 2019, successfully fought off the gang despite being cornered and threatened during the encounter, which was captured on video by a bystander.

The 70-year-old can be seen grabbing onto a phone with one hand, and his bike with the other, as the gang in blacked-out helmets attempts to snatch the bike.