EXCLUSIVELondons phone snatching epidemic reaches crisis point as people working in the city say they see it all the time with victims as young as four being targeted
People working in the UKs phone snatching capital say they see the crime all the time - with victims as young as four years old being targeted as Londons phone snatching epidemic reaches a crisis point.
People working in the UKs phone snatching capital say they see the crime all the time - with victims as young as four years old being targeted as Londons phone snatching epidemic reaches a crisis point.
Workers in Westminster in central London claim phone theft happens daily - mostly to unaware tourists.
Criminals most common tactic is to whizz past on a bike or moped and grab the phone while their victim is distracted - such as when they are taking a photo or checking their messages at a traffic light.
Figures collated by local news site Southwark News show that Westminster is the worse area in London for phone snatching - with a shocking 22,253 incidents reported in the year leading up to September 2024.
People working in the UKs phone snatching capital say they see the crime all the time. Workers in Westminster in central London claim phone theft happens daily - mostly to unaware tourists
Sharon who works in London has spoken about phone thefts. She tries to warn her customers, explaining: Tourists make mistakes like having their bags open or their phones in their back pockets
That equates to 85.4 thefts per every 1,000 people.
Discussing the problem, Paul, who works by the London Eye, said: I see it all the time. I would say every day.
Its worst around this touristy part of London - particularly along Westminster Bridge.
It happens to tourists a lot because theyre unaware. I try to warn them but it doesnt always work.
One time, a family asked someone to take a photo of them in front of the London Eye.
And the guy they chose ran off with their phone.
Usually though, they come past on their bikes and snatch the phone before anyone has a chance to react.
Its a real issue.
The 51-year-old said he sees the same culprits at work again and again.
There are groups of them who are here all the time, Paul said. The police know about them.
Sometimes, they get arrested. But theyre back 24 hours later and doing it again.
And they dont always target tourists. One of the other guys who works around here got his phone stolen near Waterloo Station.
And hes a big guy - I wouldnt want to mess with him.
Ive had them trying to steal my phone too. Even though they know that I know who they are.
Its bold.
Ovye, who works for a bus tour company, said the thieves target anyone - including children.
Vina Viknarajah, who also works in the phone snatching capital, said: I know people who have had their phones snatched and people who have witnessed others getting their phones stolen
He said: It can happen to anyone. I once saw someone snatch a phone out of a little girls hand while she was taking a picture.
She cant have been more than four years old. Unbelievable.
The 36-year-old said the issue is particularly bad around the Marble Arch area - but admitted he had little faith in the police taking action.
He said: It happened to one of my colleagues while she was in Marble Arch. It happens so quickly.
Paul, 51, said he sees the same culprits at work again and again. There are groups of them who are here all the time, Paul said. The police know about them
Criminals most common tactic is to ride past on a bike or moped and snatch the phone while their victim is distracted
But the police dont do anything. They know its happening but theyre not bothered about it.
His colleague Tom, 31, added: [The criminals] have their tricks.
They go past on their bikes while people are at a traffic light and looking at their phone.
They take it straight out of their hands.
Around here, I see it happening to tourists a lot - as theyre a bit naive to the situation.
Its a shame as they think theyre in London - one of the greatest cities in the world - and so theyll be safe.
But thats not the case.
Georgina Collier who works in London, Westminster said: We got an email a couple months ago warning us about the phone snatching. Weve been told to leave in pairs at the end of our shifts. Although it does happen in the morning too
Georgina Collier, who works at the London Dungeon, said the problem had gotten so severe around Waterloo Station that her manager had issued a warning to all employees.
The 24-year-old said: We got an email a couple months ago warning us about the phone snatching.
Weve been told to leave in pairs at the end of our shifts. Although it does happen in the morning too.
One of my colleagues had her phone snatched just around the corner.
Vina Viknarajah also works at the London Dungeon.
She also received the warning, admitted she had changed her ways as a result.
I know people who have had their phones snatched and people who have witnessed others getting their phones stolen, the 22-year-old said.
Im definitely more anxious and nervous about it these days.
I keep my phone secure in an inside pocket and dont take it out until Im home.
And I try to warn others about it too. When I see tourists with their phones hanging out their back pockets or something.
Sharon, 62, who also works in the tourist industry, said she too tries to warn her customers.
She said: Tourists make mistakes like having their bags open or their phones in their back pockets.
So I try to offer advice. But sometimes it happens so quickly - and sometimes it happens to Londoners too.
I saw a girl - she must have been about 10 - on her way to school with her mum. And her iPad got taken.
She was so upset. It was heartbreaking.
Figures collated by local news site Southwark News show that Westminster is the worse area in London for phone snatching - with a shocking 22,253 incidents reported in the year leading up to September 2024
Meanwhile, Darren, who works for a bus tour company, says he often witnesses the aftermath of the thefts.
He said: I see it all the time - people standing there in horror as their phone has just been snatched.
What are they to do? They cant go after these people - theyre on bikes and motorbikes.
Sometimes they dont even notice it has been taken until the thieves are halfway down the street.
But its going to keep going. Its gotten worse recently as these criminals have realised that 99 times out of 100 theyre not going to get caught.
