London's phone snatching problem as kids are targeted

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. 

The police are seeing a rise in phone snatching incidents. (Image: SWNS)

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. 

"It's worst around this touristy part of London - particularly along Westminster Bridge.

"It happens to tourists a lot because they're unaware. I try to warn them but it doesn't 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. It's a real issue." 

Workers say they see phone snatching everyday. (Image: SWNS)

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 they're back 24 hours later and doing it again. 

"And they don't always target tourists. One of the other guys who works around here got his phone stolen near Waterloo Station. 

"And he's a big guy - I wouldn't want to mess with him.

"I've had them trying to steal my phone too. Even though they know that I know who they are. It's bold." 

Ovye, who works for a bus tour company, said the thieves target "anyone" - including children. 

He said: "It can happen to anyone. I once saw someone snatch a phone out of a little girl's hand while she was taking a picture. 

"She can't 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. 

Find out how we are tackling phone theft in London 👇 https://t.co/QASoTYfaSW

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 22, 2024

"But the police don't do anything. They know it's happening but they're 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 they're a bit naive to the situation. 

"It's a shame as they think they're in London - one of the greatest cities in the world - and so they'll be safe. But that's not the case."

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 area is popular for tourists. (Image: SWNS)

The 24-year-old said: "We got an email a couple months ago warning us about the phone snatching. 

"We've 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. 

Vina works at the London Dungeon. (Image: SWNS)

"I'm definitely more anxious and nervous about it these days. I keep my phone secure in an inside pocket and don't take it out until I'm 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. 

Sharon works in the tourist industry. (Image: SWNS)

"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."

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. 

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"What are they to do? They can't go after these people - they're on bikes and motorbikes. 

"Sometimes they don't even notice it has been taken until the thieves are halfway down the street. 

"But it's going to keep going. It's gotten worse recently as these criminals have realised that 99 times out of 100 they're not going to get caught."