Watch out! Keep your phone safe

Did you know that every year, thousands of mobile phones are stolen in London? Thieves have various methods, such as pickpocketing, table surfing, distraction methods and snatching by thieves on mopeds, bikes and e-scooters. They may even ride along the pavement or target pedestrians at crossings. We don’t want you to become the next victim.

Be aware

• Keep your phone and your bag within sight. Avoid leaving them unattended on tables. Thieves can grab a phone in seconds.
• Keep your phone in a zipped pocket or bag, and close to you.
• Invest in a strong case.

Look around

• Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is around you.
• Be particularly attentive in unfamiliar areas or in crowded areas. Plan your journeys beforehand to avoid overuse of your phone whilst out.
• Only use your mobile when it feels safe to. Keep your phone out of sight when not in use. Put it away immediately after use.
• Go hands free or stand away from the roadside, near a wall, making it harder to ride up behind you.

Protect your phone

• Set a strong PIN/lock. Add an extra layer of security using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
• Make sure the security features on your phone are activated. Enable biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial/voice recognition.)
• Prevent thieves from accessing sensitive information. Visit your device’s help pages for assistance with location tracking, account recovery, and message preview settings. Consider an anti-theft app.
• Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06#. Keep a written note of it in a safe place at home and report it to the police if the phone is stolen.
• Register your phone on www.immobilise.com and the police may be able to recover it.
• Back-up your data regularly. Importantly information remains safe in the cloud but only if you back it up!

Report

• In case of theft, time is of the essence. Call 101 (for non-emergency enquiries) to immediately report the crime and obtain a crime reference number. For all other emergencies call 999.

Better Bankside Wardens will be hosting a phone safety marking event on Tuesday 27 May outside NatWest London Bridge, 10 Southwark Street, Bermondsey SE1 1TJ.

If you would like a phone safety awareness session or phone safety marking outside or inside of your premises get in touch with Diane Newton, dn@betterbankside.co.uk

For more detailed prevention advice from the police, please visit:
Protect your phone | Metropolitan Police
Protect your mobile phone against criminals on bikes and mopeds | Metropolitan Police