April 26th 2024.
In London, there has been a concerning rise in phone thefts, with videos of thieves snatching mobile phones from pedestrians' hands surfacing every week. According to new statistics from the Metropolitan Police, some parts of London have seen a more than doubled increase in these incidents in recent years. The police force's website states that thousands of mobile phones are stolen every year in London through various methods, such as pickpocketing, table surfing, and more recently, criminals riding on mopeds.
The thought of having your phone forcefully taken can be terrifying, and it is considered a robbery. In fact, there were 10,485 recorded cases of this between 2022 and 2023 by the Met. But even when there is no violence involved, losing your phone can still be a harrowing experience. This is especially true if you have not backed up your photos and contacts, or if you are at risk of having your personal and intimate images exposed. These cases, which involve pickpocketing and snatching, are classified as theft, and the Met recorded 41,705 of them in the same period.
So, where are you most likely to fall victim to phone theft in London? According to the latest statistics, the five worst areas for this crime are all in central London. Westminster, known for its popular tourist spots, has the highest number of phone thefts, with over a third of all incidents in London happening there. The Met recorded 14,602 cases in this area, which is a staggering 71% increase from the previous year. Following closely behind are Camden with 4,206 cases and Southwark with 3,426. Southwark saw the biggest rise of all, with an 81% increase in phone thefts, while Greenwich had more than doubled cases to 451.
On the other hand, if you want to decrease your chances of losing your phone, you may want to avoid central London. The areas with the least number of phone thefts are on the outskirts of the city. Bexley, for example, had the lowest number of cases with just 73 recorded by the Met. However, this is still a 20% increase from the previous year. Other areas with the lowest incidents saw a drop of more than 20%, such as Hillingdon with just 168 cases, a decrease of approximately 42%.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police emphasized the importance of being vigilant and taking necessary precautions to prevent phone thefts. They mentioned that mobile phones are highly sought after by opportunistic criminals and are often stolen through methods like pickpocketing, table surfing, and more recently, by individuals or gangs on mopeds. To combat this, the police have dedicated teams who conduct daily patrols and proactive intelligence-led operations. Specially trained officers also focus on hotspot areas during peak times to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from becoming victims.
In the event of a robbery, the spokesperson stressed the importance of contacting the police immediately, as the first hour after the incident is crucial in gathering crucial forensic evidence and catching the perpetrators. They urge victims and witnesses to report the crime as soon as possible to help take violent criminals off the streets. The Metropolitan Police is committed to ensuring the safety of the public and will continue to take necessary measures to combat phone thefts in London.
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