This neighborhood in London has the most mobile phone thefts

Next time you pull out your phone to map out your routes, take selfies or simply wave it around in public, police warn you should always be on the lookout as incidents of phone theft are on the rise across London .

There are numerous ways phones can be stolen, including being forced out of your hand or stealthily snatched from your pocket or purse.

But which borough of London has the highest number of phone thefts and what can you do if your phone has been stolen?

London neighborhoods with increasing number of phone thefts

According to the Metropolitan Police report, the London borough where phone theft has increased the most is Greenwich. There were 451 cases last year, up 123% from the previous year (202 reports).

Southwark came second with an 81.4% increase in phone thefts compared to the previous year, followed by Westminster with a 71% increase.

There has been a 40% increase in phone theft in Camden and Lambeth, prompting more warnings.

However, the Met’s study of phone theft was not entirely negative. There has been around a 25% drop in phone theft in certain boroughs including Kingston upon Thames, Sutton and Richmond.

London’s worst neighborhoods for phone theft

A study by insurance firm Loveit Coverit used Met Police data from January 2023 to 2024 to estimate the areas with the highest number of phone thefts per 1,000 people:

• Westminster

• City of London

• Camden

• Southwark

• Kensington and Chelsea

• Islington

• Hackney

• Lambeth

• Newham

• Hamlets Tower

The data suggests that Westminster is the London borough with the highest number of phone thefts per 1,000 inhabitants.

What to do if your phone has been stolen

A Metropolitan spokesman said: “It is important that victims and witnesses contact the police as soon as a robbery takes place – the first hour after a robbery takes place or the ‘golden hour’ is crucial to catching robbers.

“In the first hour, officers are able to ascertain vital forensic evidence, helping to take violent criminals off our streets.”

As soon as you can, report to your local police station by going in person, calling 101 or reporting online. You should provide the authorities with your phone identification number (IMEI), which you can get from your network operator. Note the criminal reference number, which you will need to submit an insurance claim.