Did you know that every year, thousands of mobile phones are stolen in London? And that theft numbers in Bankside have increased one third in the last year? Thieves have various methods, such as pickpocketing, table surfing 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 bags fastened and close to you.
Look around
- Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is around you.
- Only use your mobile when it feels safe to. 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
- Make sure the security features on your phone are activated. Set a strong PIN/lock.
- 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 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.
Report
- In case of theft, time is of the essence. Call 999 immediately.
For more detailed prevention advice from the police, please check:
Protect your phone | Metropolitan Police
Protect your mobile phone against criminals on bikes and mopeds | Metropolitan Police
