With City of London commuters, visitors and residents seeing a rise in mobile phone snatching, the charity Crimestoppers has launched a new campaign encouraging people to be aware of how to stay safe and protect themselves from being targeted by thieves.
The City is home to over 8,000 residents and an additional 400,000 workers, visitors and commuters who travel to or through the so-called Square Mile every day.
In recent years, the City has also developed into a major tourist destination, with a vibrant night-time economy attracting around 4m visitors each year.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the crime which has seen an increase of more than 150% in the last year. Criminals often use bikes and mopeds to snatch mobile phones and victims are often approached from behind whilst talking or texting on phones. They may mount the pavement to grab the phone or snatch it from the road. They target busy streets, transport hubs and licenced premises.
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Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager for the charity Crimestoppers, said: “The City of London Police has seen a huge increase of thieves using pedal bikes to carry out mobile phone snatches. Incidents happen quickly and nearly always when the victim is distracted and has their focus elsewhere while using their mobile phone.
“We know that everyone needs to use their mobile phone at some point during the day or evening when they are out and about in the City. We’re urging people to avoid getting distracted and stay alert when using their phone and be extra vigilant at night time when trying to use taxi-apps to book transport home.
“Many of us keep our bank cards inside our phone cover. However, we recommend changing this habit as if the phone gets stolen, with it goes your bank cards which can be used on fraudulent transactions.”
Rob Atkin, Chief Superintendent at City of London Police, said: “We are fortunate to have low levels of crime, but we want to make sure people who live, work and visit the City are kept safe.
“We’re funding this awareness campaign to encourage people to be aware of the danger of mobile phone theft. Our phones are an integral part of our lives with contacts, photos and personal information, the value of which far exceeds the price of the phone. So do be aware of your surroundings when you get your phone out and take precautions to ensure your phone is safely with you.”
Other relevant facts and stats include:
The peak day for phone snatches in the City of London is Wednesday, with 38% of offences committed on that day.
Only 32% of phone snatches were reported to the police within 30 minutes of the offence happening. Early reporting gives the police a much better chance to respond and catch the thieves and protect members of the public
65% of phone snatches happen between 6pm-1am, when many City workers and visitors are socialising
54% of phone snatches involve thieves using pedal bikes
To pass on information about phone snatching 100% anonymously, visit our charity’s website (Crimestoppers-uk.org) and fill in our simple and secure anonymous online form or call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111.
Please note: Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted us. For telephone calls, we have no caller line display, no 1471 facility and we have never traced a call.
