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Met Police announces measures to counter mobile phone theft

(40 Posts)
MT62 Thu 12-Mar-26 13:49:01

I don’t understand people who walk around with the their phones in their hand 🤦‍♀️ asking for it to be snatched.
I know we should be able to. Whilst in the bank I told a an older lady to tuck her phone & purse in the bottom of her bag as it was just sitting on the top her unzipped bag.
She said, ‘oh you have to trust people’
We to have a lot of drug addicts in our town.
Her purse & phone were just ‘ripe for the taking.

Missedout Thu 12-Mar-26 09:01:38

My mobile phone came with a smart watch. I thought the watch a gimmik at first. However, I would not be without it now.

I can receive and make calls and messages, find my phone, use the fitness app and make an emergency call, make payments (among other things). All this while I have no phone in sight. (Phone is zipped up in a pocket or bag.) I don't need to carry my phone round the house either.

I think the watch adds to my safety.

petra Thu 12-Mar-26 08:44:16

MartavTaurus

So, even if you have a nice roomy handbag, or a designer clutch, you have to keep your phone on view in the other hand! 😆

You might not hear the notification ping informing you of something riveting on TikTok. Sarcastic emoji needed.

petra Thu 12-Mar-26 08:38:48

Galaxy

To be honest i would rather they took my phone easily than injured me trying to pull it from my body.

Chances are they wouldn’t grab it from your body. The most vulnerable target is someone talking or scrolling on their phone.
This is because the scum ideally want a phone that’s open. Then they not only have your phone they have access to all the goodies. Bank, Amazon, EBay. Kerching 😥

OldFrill Thu 12-Mar-26 08:35:43

Travel - identify

OldFrill Thu 12-Mar-26 08:34:59

Sarnia

It's probably a case of it can't happen to them. I am surprised nobody has been on Dragon's Den with an anti-theft device for a mobile phone. Something like a small pouch that could be worn securely across the body with sturdy straps.
grumppa has a point though. One girl on BBC London News has had her phone taken by moped thieves 5 times! At some point you have to start taking responsibility.

There are plenty of anti theft wrist straps, lanyards etc available to buy. Although they may be a deterrent they possibly just mean a determined thief will cause injury or threat to get the phone.

The Met want phone companies to make all mobile phones inoperable if stolen, there's no point in the theft then. Also make it easier to travel the owners of stolen phones so they can be returned.

MartavTaurus Thu 12-Mar-26 08:23:15

So, even if you have a nice roomy handbag, or a designer clutch, you have to keep your phone on view in the other hand! 😆

ViceVersa Thu 12-Mar-26 08:22:57

I was at a concert in Glasgow in November and around 50 people there had their phones stolen. The same thing had happened at another event a couple of weeks beforehand. Admittedly the thefts took place in the standing section and pit, whereas I was up in the seated area, but apparently it's organised foreign gangs who are behind it.
I have a small cross-body bag which basically is only big enough for my phone and I wear it over my t-shirt with a hoodie over the top, so no-one can even see it, far less grab it off me. But I do often wonder how many people make it easy for the phone thieves by walking along scrolling on theirs in public.

TerriBull Thu 12-Mar-26 08:16:52

Possibly those who aren't familiar with London are looking at Google maps, otherwise best to scroll when sitting down inside somewhere. I'd hate to have my phone stolen it has so much personal stuff, banking etc.

MartavTaurus Thu 12-Mar-26 08:09:47

I don't think a pouch would work for the majority in London as they use their phone walking along all the time, like an addiction. It's kind of cool to have your phone on view in your hand, too.
I agree with Galaxy, it's safer to let them grab from your hand than something round your neck
.

J52 Thu 12-Mar-26 08:01:28

I am also surprised at the amount of people, of all ages, who stand around casually using their phones.
If I have to use my phone in public I stand in a shop doorway with my back to a window or wall so I can see anyone approaching me.
We’ve all drummed it in to our GCs not to get their phones out in the street.

petra Thu 12-Mar-26 08:00:56

Sarnia

It's probably a case of it can't happen to them. I am surprised nobody has been on Dragon's Den with an anti-theft device for a mobile phone. Something like a small pouch that could be worn securely across the body with sturdy straps.
grumppa has a point though. One girl on BBC London News has had her phone taken by moped thieves 5 times! At some point you have to start taking responsibility.

How could you scroll on the phone when it’s in a pouch. That’s what millions are addicted to.
It’s a wonder some don’t have corns on there fingers and thumbs 😂

Galaxy Thu 12-Mar-26 07:48:40

To be honest i would rather they took my phone easily than injured me trying to pull it from my body.

Sarnia Thu 12-Mar-26 06:53:16

It's probably a case of it can't happen to them. I am surprised nobody has been on Dragon's Den with an anti-theft device for a mobile phone. Something like a small pouch that could be worn securely across the body with sturdy straps.
grumppa has a point though. One girl on BBC London News has had her phone taken by moped thieves 5 times! At some point you have to start taking responsibility.

grumppa Wed 11-Mar-26 18:48:05

Well done the Met, but as I walk the streets of London, am I alone in being amazed at how easy mobile phone users make it for potential thieves, by the casual way they hold them? Are they unaware how vulnerable they are?