Phone theft in London is rising rapidly, with snatch thefts increasing by 150% annually. Phones hold vital personal and financial information, making their loss devastating. Victims describe feeling disoriented as phones manage everything from payments to navigation.
Many thefts occur in crowded areas, with thieves using bikes or scooters for quick getaways. Most phones are sold domestically or shipped overseas, often to China. Victims frequently delay reporting, limiting police recovery efforts. The government is working with tech companies on new anti-theft measures. Police advise securing phones with pins and trackers and reporting thefts immediately to increase recovery chances.
badgerj on
Is this a thing in North America?
AloofPenny on
Wallets had chains on them for a while.
axarce on
I keep my phone in my pocket when out in public. If I have to pull it out, I find an alcove or other out of the way spot where a snatch and dash would be harder.
Phalex on
Are they able to repurpose the phones? I thought they were useless without being first unlocked by the previous owner. The article mentions the parts being worth a bit. But that seems hardly worth the trouble..
[deleted] on
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Laymanao on
Phones can be blocked but that is network dependent. So if a phone is stolen and the network blocks it, that phone can be used for another network. If all the network agree to share blocking, then moving the phone offshore opens it up again.
badgersruse on
Surely most phones now are useless to anyone without the pin or biometrics, if it is locked. Snatching an unlocked phone undoes that but they have to keep it unlocked.
Or do people not use faceid/fingerprints/pin?
Bitter-Good-2540 on
Back in the olden days, the blocked the IMEI from the phone to get connection, since those times are over and stealing a phone is super easy and nobody cares (except the owner) makes it a super good time / risk / value investment for thieves.
9 Comments
In summary:
Phone theft in London is rising rapidly, with snatch thefts increasing by 150% annually. Phones hold vital personal and financial information, making their loss devastating. Victims describe feeling disoriented as phones manage everything from payments to navigation.
Many thefts occur in crowded areas, with thieves using bikes or scooters for quick getaways. Most phones are sold domestically or shipped overseas, often to China. Victims frequently delay reporting, limiting police recovery efforts. The government is working with tech companies on new anti-theft measures. Police advise securing phones with pins and trackers and reporting thefts immediately to increase recovery chances.
Is this a thing in North America?
Wallets had chains on them for a while.
I keep my phone in my pocket when out in public. If I have to pull it out, I find an alcove or other out of the way spot where a snatch and dash would be harder.
Are they able to repurpose the phones? I thought they were useless without being first unlocked by the previous owner. The article mentions the parts being worth a bit. But that seems hardly worth the trouble..
[removed]
Phones can be blocked but that is network dependent. So if a phone is stolen and the network blocks it, that phone can be used for another network. If all the network agree to share blocking, then moving the phone offshore opens it up again.
Surely most phones now are useless to anyone without the pin or biometrics, if it is locked. Snatching an unlocked phone undoes that but they have to keep it unlocked.
Or do people not use faceid/fingerprints/pin?
Back in the olden days, the blocked the IMEI from the phone to get connection, since those times are over and stealing a phone is super easy and nobody cares (except the owner) makes it a super good time / risk / value investment for thieves.