- London's West End is one of the preferred places for the "practice"
- UK Government figures indicate that, in the year to March, there were an estimated 78,000 thefts (source: BBC)
- Thieves want to take your phone whilst it's unlocked
- Another technique is using "shoulder surfers"
Phone snatching, in London, has become increasingly prevalent, with reports indicating that a phone is stolen every six minutes. The rise in phone thefts can be attributed to various factors, including the high value of smartphones and the ease with which they can be resold or dismantled for parts.
Thieves in London employ a variety of tactics to snatch phones from unsuspecting victims. Common methods include:
- Distraction Techniques: Criminals may distract their targets by engaging them in conversation or creating a scene, allowing them to quickly grab the phone.
- Use of Vehicles: Many thieves operate on mopeds or e-bikes, enabling them to swiftly approach victims and escape quickly after the theft.
- Violence or Threats: In some cases, thieves may use intimidation or physical force to steal phones directly from individuals.
Despite efforts from law enforcement agencies to combat phone snatching, challenges remain. The rapid turnover of stolen devices makes it difficult for police to recover them once they are taken. Many cases are closed without investigation due to resource constraints within police departments.
The police have acknowledged that they cannot solely rely on arrests to solve this issue; instead, collaboration with technology manufacturers is essential. There are calls for improved tracking capabilities and measures that would allow stolen phones to be permanently disabled, thus reducing their resale value.
