Mobile phone thefts are rife in London and we all know someone who has had theirs snatched at some point while being here.

According to police, criminals often use bikes and mopeds to snatch mobile phones from people, particularly at busy locations such as outside stations, shopping centres or concert venues.

Often victims are approached from behind while talking or texting on phones.

Criminals on mopeds or bicycles may mount the pavement to grab the phone or snatch it from the road.

Sometimes when it’s a moped, a pillion passenger will snatch it.

While most thefts happen between six and ten at night, criminals operate during the day too, so always police encourage people to look out for what’s going on around them.

In Bromley, phone thefts were on the increase a couple of years ago, but since the Covid-19 pandemic they have lowered again.

Mobile phone thefts reported to the Metropolitan Police in Bromley:

2018: 994

2019: 1,142

2020: 1,426

2021: 819

2022: 845

January 2023: 55

February 2023: 70

As phone thefts are so common in London, police have issued advice on how to prevent your phone being stolen and what to do if it is.

Be aware of your surroundings

  • If you need to call or use your phone on the street, look out for anyone on a bike or a moped near you. Look up, look out
  • Make it quick so you don't become distracted
  • Don't text while you're walking – you won't notice what's going on around you
  • If that's not possible, stand away from the roadside, close to a building or wall, so no one can come up behind you
  • Going hands-free can prevent a thief from snatching your phone out of your hand

Use security features on your phone

  • You must switch on your phone's security features to protect your phone
  • Use the keypad lock so that thieves cannot immediately access your phone, or use the biometric authentication if your phone has it (finger print or facial recognition)
  • Your phone may have other security features you can use – these could allow you to wipe data, lock your handset, or prevent a thief from restoring a phone to its factory settings from another internet device
  • Consider installing an anti-theft app. These can be an effective way of helping police trace your phone and identify the thief

Know how to identify your phone if it's stolen

  • Every phone has an IMEI number which helps police and insurance companies to identify it if it's stolen. UK network operators can also stop a stolen phone from working across their networks with its IMEI
  • Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it; if the phone is stolen, report the number to your mobile provider to stop it being used
  • Register your valuables on an accredited property database.

Remember, never confront a thief or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile phone.