London Phone Snatching - Advice

[Stardust35]

Hi, I'm planning a solo day trip to London in a few weeks. There are a few things I want to do there, and I have a rare day off work coming up so wanted to take myself on a day out! I used to love going to London and visited friends there often but haven't been in a few years.

I keep hearing about phone snatching by criminals on mopeds, and am a bit worried how to prevent this. I'm likely to need my phone out a a lot for directions on google maps as I want to visit a few different places during the day. How common actually is this and does anyone have any way of minimising the risk? Or am I overreacting! Thanks x

It’s never happened to me and I’ve never heard about it happening to anyone I know. If you need to check directions then step to the side of the pavement away from the road, that way you’ll be away from mopeds and also not in the way. There are also quite a lot of maps on pillar things on street corners in central London so you can use those.

I mean- it's sensible to take precautions as its common enough that if you have it out of your bag when out and about its not that improbable. Some people attach their phones to a cord of some sort, personally I think this is worse as if someone travelling at speed on a bike grabs it they're likely to drag you as well!

Try not to walk close to the road (many are people on bikes who travel onto the path or grab from the road- if you're on the inside this is harder for them).

If you have headphones pop one in (not both) and listen to the directions, just check the map itself if you get really stuck.

Even when looking try and remain aware and alert, if you're lost in thought looking at the screen it makes it so much easier.

When I lived in London it was still quite prevalent and it's even worse now, I would say don't let it ruin your trip but just be aware. People will say its super unlikely to happen but sadly doesn't mean it won't. London is still one of my favourite places in the world, just a shame need to be more mindful of personal safety now (as in most cities depressingly).

Unlikely to happen but … keep your wits about you. Don’t amble along looking at your phone and being unaware of your surroundings. If you need to look at your map, memorise the next few turns then put it away. Basically keep it out of sight as much as possible.

Genera common sense prevails. I don't know anyone it's happened to.

Never happened to me - and I live here - but I also don't wander around the tourist parts much. I also don't know anyone it has happened to.

Just be sensible and don't stand holding it out in front of you for long periods of time.

You can always step into a shop or the entrance to a tube station to check your phone?

Two handed grip when using the phone.

It’s common around my office and I’ve seen it happen quite a few times myself. But as mentioned already, be mindful you don’t have your phone to close to the road. Have it in the hand the pavement side.

When I’ve seen it happen it’s been people who’ve been pretty oblivious to their surroundings, walking close to the road with their phone right near the street. They just grab the ones right near them so don’t worry too much about it, if you are aware you’ll be fine.

I’ve seen lads on bikes do it too by the way so it’s not just scooters.

Is it mostly touristy areas you've seen it happen?

Never have your phone on the table when in a cafe or restaurant. Don't hang your bag on the back of your chair or leave it under the table.

Don’t stand on street corners or outside the tube with your phone out. Check directions in shops, cafes etc

Yes sorry I should say, where I see it is just behind Oxford Street. Never seen it where I live.

Good advice above. I wouldn't let the possibility of something happening put you off coming. I live here and it hasn't happened to me and I look at my phone while walking a lot. I have seen it happen a few times though so it isn't uncommon. I think it is a good idea not to take your phone out immediately on exiting a tube station as that can be a common spot. Also take the other precautions as mentioned above but its not as if every person holding their phone gets it stolen every minute. Just keep your wits about you and like others say having headphones giving you the directions can be helpful so you can keep the phone in a pocket. (Also worth noting that you want to make sure it is not in an easy to pick-pocket place when on busy tubes etc) though that has also never happened to anyone I know. Don't be too afraid but I think its always a good idea to make sure your photos are always backed-up just in case so that in the worst case scenario you don't also loose all those memories as well. This is also true just in case you drop your phone in the loo or it gets broken etc!

A guy on a bike tried it on a friend of mine in Archway but he missed. Just don’t use your phone on the street side of the pavement.

Go old school, and get an A-Z (or print the relevant map pages).

If you do need to consult your phone, step to one side out of everyone's way, look and then put it away.

Snatchers tend to go for people who are just bimbling round around with their phones out, not really paying attention. Less likely to target someone to one side and looking purposeful.

Don't be wandering along next to the road on your phone - they're looking for the easiest target. If you walk next to the buildings - or even better stop and tuck yourself into a building - you'll be fine. Also don't use your phone while standing right on the edge of the pavement at bus stops.

I work in London, lots of friends who live there, and I only know one person it's happened to.

It has recently happened to a colleague in the west end on the way to work when the pavements weren’t busy and he admitted he wasn’t hugely alert. So if you stick to busy pavements, maybe step inside a shop to get your phone out and generally keep alert you will be fine.

It does happen. The key thing is to make sure your phone PIN is different to those of any mobile banking apps and other financial info on your phone. Remove anything that doesn’t absolutely have to be on there. Pay for stuff by bank card rather than ApplePay or whatever. They are mostly snatching unlocked phones - or phones once they’ve seen you enter your PIN - to get at the financial info on there. Not for the handset itself.

It's quite common around Angel / Kings Cross area. I've seen it happen many times unfortunately.

As others have said you just need to be vigilant the chances are you'll be fine.

Oh and back up all your pics etc each morning before you leave, so that if you do lose the handset you can easily restore everything on the new one.

I’ve seen phone grabs on three occasions, one from someone looking at their phone at a bus stop, the other two with bikes going onto the pavement, all by people on bikes. I don’t use my phone on the street but will go into a shop or check instructions before I leave the bus or tube.

Surprised by the people saying it’s not common - I know quite a few people who have had phones snatched recently.

Duck into shops/tube stations etc to use your phone. If you’re in central there are great maps all over the place (see pic) to help you find your way.

None of the grabs I’ve seen were in tourist areas, it happens on residential streets too.

It's never happened to me nir anyone I know but I think there are certain areas where it's prolific.

Apart from buying an A-Z book I don't know how you can prevent it completely. Two hands on phone, yes, don't wear earpods in the street, be aware of your surroundings, and don't put you phone in your back pocket (I see this a lot 🫣).

You know millions of people live and work in London and very few have their phones snatched everyday. Honestly the fear of London on Mumsnet is hilarious, it's not the wild west.