LOOK UP AND LOOK OUT: Mobile Phone Snatch Warning in HAMPSTEAD TOWN

LOOK UP AND LOOK OUT: Mobile Phone Snatch Warning in HAMPSTEAD TOWN

Hampstead Town Safer Neighbourhood Team would like to remind the community to remain vigilant following an increase in mobile phone snatches across parts of Hampstead Town Ward.

We are seeing offences where one or two suspects use e-bikes, high-powered electric bikes, Sur-Ron style bikes, scooters, pedal cycles or mopeds to approach victims and steal mobile phones. These are often two-wheel enabled phone snatches. In some cases, two suspects may be on the same vehicle, with one person riding and another person acting as a passenger who snatches the phone.

These offences are often very quick. A phone can be taken in seconds.

Please take extra care around:

HAMPSTEAD HIGH STREET.

ROSSLYN HILL.

POND STREET.

HAVERSTOCK HILL.

SOUTH END ROAD.

These locations can be busy with pedestrians, shops, bus stops, road junctions and people using phones for calls, messages, maps and travel apps. Offenders may target these areas because they can identify distracted victims and then leave quickly using nearby roads or side streets.

How thieves target victims

Thieves can be very clever in identifying potential victims. They may use distraction techniques, intimidation or threats of violence. They are also often aware of their surroundings and may plan how to steal someone’s phone before approaching.

Offenders often target people who are:

Using a phone while walking.

Texting and looking down.

Standing close to the kerb.

Waiting near bus stops, shops or road crossings.

Using maps or transport apps.

Holding the phone loosely in one hand.

Not aware of bicycles, e-bikes, scooters or mopeds nearby.

Criminals may approach from behind, from the side, or from the roadside. They may ride onto the pavement or pass very close to the victim before grabbing the phone. When a moped is used, a pillion passenger may snatch the phone while the rider continues moving.

While many thefts happen between 1800 hours and 2200 hours, these offences can also happen during the day. Please stay alert at all times.

What phones are being targeted

Offenders predominantly target high value mobile phones, especially newer models such as:

Apple iPhones.

Samsung Galaxy phones.

Other high value smart phones.

These phones are attractive to criminals because they can be expensive, easy to carry and may be sold on quickly or broken down for parts. Criminals may also try to access personal information, banking apps, emails, photographs, contacts and social media accounts if the phone is not properly secured.

Your phone is not just a device. It may contain a large amount of personal and financial information.

Protect your mobile phone against criminals on bikes and mopeds

Criminals often use e-bikes, high-powered electric bikes, Sur-Ron style bikes, scooters, pedal cycles or mopeds to snatch mobile phones from people, particularly in busy locations such as high streets, shopping areas, bus stops, outside stations and entertainment venues.

Please follow these simple steps to reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

Be aware of your surroundings

Look up and look out.

Only use your mobile phone in public when it feels safe to do so.

If you need to make a call or check your phone, look around first for anyone on a e-bikes, high-powered electric bikes, Sur-Ron style bikes, scooters, pedal cycles or mopeds.

Make your phone use quick so you do not become distracted.

Do not text while walking, as this makes it harder to see what is happening around you.

If you need to use your phone, stand away from the roadside and close to a building or wall so nobody can easily approach from behind.

Be extra careful near bus stops, crossings, junctions, shop fronts and busy pavements.

When you have finished using your phone, put it away.

Keep your phone out of sight when it is not needed.

Going hands-free can help reduce the need to hold your phone in your hand.

Plan your route, especially if you are going somewhere you have not been before.

Keep to busy and well-lit streets and walkways where possible.

Move with purpose and appear confident.

Do not leave valuables unattended

Please do not leave your phone, iPad, tablet, camera, bag or other valuables unattended, out of your sight or left on a table.

Thieves can grab a phone from a table in seconds, especially outside cafes, restaurants, pubs or busy public areas.

Keep valuables close to you and do not leave them near the edge of a table or in an open bag.

Use security features on your phone

You must switch on your phone’s security features to help protect your phone and your personal information.

Please consider the following:

Use a strong PIN, password or passcode.

Use fingerprint or facial recognition if your phone has it.

Use the keypad lock so thieves cannot immediately access your phone.

Turn on your phone’s tracking feature, such as Find My iPhone or Find My Device.

Set up a tracking app so you can see where the phone is from another device, such as a laptop or tablet.

Use tracking as soon as possible after the theft, before thieves have a chance to disable the phone.

Turn off message previews on your lock screen so thieves cannot see reset codes, login codes or banking messages when your phone is locked.

Make sure your phone can be locked, tracked or wiped remotely.

Keep your phone software updated.

Use strong passwords for email, banking and social media accounts.

Use two-factor authentication where possible.

Consider installing a trusted anti-theft app.

These steps can help protect your data and may also help police trace your phone and identify offenders.

Know your IMEI number

Every mobile phone has a unique IMEI number. This helps police, insurance companies and mobile phone providers identify the phone if it is stolen.

You can find your IMEI number by dialling:

*#06#

Please write the number down and keep it somewhere safe at home. Do not only store it on your phone.

If your phone is stolen, report the IMEI number to your mobile provider so the handset can be blocked from being used on UK networks.

You can also register your valuables on an accredited property database.

What to do if your phone is stolen

If your phone is stolen:

Do not chase or confront the offender.

Do not risk your personal safety for a mobile phone.

Move to a safe place.

Call police as soon as possible.

If the offence is happening now or the suspects have just left, call 999.

If it is not an emergency, report online or call 101.

Contact your mobile provider and ask them to block the SIM and handset.

Use your tracking app if safe to do so, but do not attend any location yourself.

Change passwords for email, banking, social media and other important accounts.

Contact your bank if banking apps or cards are linked to your phone.

Useful information for police includes:

The exact location and time of the offence.

Direction the suspect travelled.

Whether the suspect used a bike, e-bike, scooter or moped.

Whether there was one suspect or two suspects.

Clothing description.

Helmet or face covering details.

Any bag, delivery box or distinctive item.

Any vehicle registration mark if seen.

Make, model and colour of the stolen phone.

IMEI number if known.

Community safety message

Hampstead Town Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to patrol hotspot areas and take action to identify, locate and arrest those responsible.

In the meantime, please stay vigilant, especially around HAMPSTEAD HIGH STREET, ROSSLYN HILL, POND STREET, HAVERSTOCK HILL and SOUTH END ROAD.

Please share this advice with family, friends, neighbours, students, commuters and anyone who regularly visits or works in Hampstead Town.

Look up. Look out. Keep your phone secure.

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Abdul Majid Catubig
(Metropolitan Police Service, Police Community Support Officer, Hampstead Town)