This means 1,349 robberies of phones take place every week in the capital city. However, this could be even higher, as many cases do not get reported to the police.
The most common areas where the crimes take place are in the tourist hotspots of Westminster and the West End, with 40% of all thefts happening in these areas.
With smartphones costing around £1,000, it could cost victims of the crime a combined £70m to replace, according to Compare the Market.
The number of incidents has risen by 244% since 2020, following a surge in ‘snatch thefts’, which led to a Government crackdown on the issue.
Snatch thefts are when criminals take victims’ possessions and speed away on a moped or e-scooter.
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In February, police arrested 230 phone snatchers in a week as part of its clampdown. It also seized over a 1,000 devices using tracking technology to locate where the phones end up.
‘Criminals are becoming increasingly brazen’
Anna McEntee, insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Londoners and those visiting the capital will be concerned by the substantial rise in phone thefts last year. Criminals are becoming increasingly brazen in the city, often using mopeds or e-bikes to make a quick getaway.
“Given the increase in thefts, it’s worth checking if your phone is covered by your existing home insurance policy. If not, you may want to buy separate phone insurance or add personal possessions cover to your policy when you come to renew.”
McEntee added: “It is a good idea to shop around to find the right policy for your needs.
“If your phone is stolen, you should report it to the police straight away, as you will need a crime reference number for any insurance claim. Then contact your insurance provider to start the claim process.”
The National Police Chief’s Council has recommended five tips should your phone get stolen.
Tips if your phone is stolen
- Secure your phone using your phone’s security features to stop someone from using your phone if it’s stolen. Choose a strong PIN, passcode, password or pattern.
- Get your IMEI number by typing *#06# on your phone keypad. Keep a note of it somewhere other than on your phone. The IMEI can help track the phone down if it’s lost or stolen.
- Use a tracking app on your phone so you can see where it is from another device like a laptop. Use it as soon as possible, before thieves have a chance to disable it.
- Turn off message previews so that thieves won’t see any messages about reset or login codes when your phone is locked.
- Make sure you can still access your data via other devices.
