Last year saw an unprecedented rise in mobile phone thefts across London, with nearly 330 devices being stolen daily in the city.
According to data from the metropolitan police, a staggering 116,656 phone thefts occurred in 2024, which averages to about 13 incidents each hour.
This marks an increase of 1,300 thefts from the previous year, reflecting more than a 50% surge since 2017, when the total stood at approximately 77,000.
The statistics reveal that thieves tend to target women more frequently; of the victims, 61,000 were women compared to 48,000 men in 2024.
Despite the alarming rise in incidents, London police—who often face criticism for how they allocate resources—could only identify 169 suspects.
Data released through a freedom of information request by the Crush Crime Campaign Group indicates that around 684,000 mobile phones were stolen between 2017 and 2024, totaling an estimated £365 million in losses.
Commenting on these troubling numbers, Dr. Lawrence Newport, the founder of Crime, remarked:
“Our politicians must recognize the seriousness of this situation. It’s crucial to tackle this epidemic and ensure our judicial system is equipped to capture and incarcerate these habitual offenders.”
Dr. Newport highlighted that merely 10% of criminals are responsible for 10% of all thefts, suggesting that a small group is likely behind the majority of phone thefts.
Authorities have noted a trend where organized crime groups are increasingly involved. These groups often use electric bikes with masked riders to swiftly steal phones from pedestrians.
Interior Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed the escalating concerns in January, stating, “In recent years, mobile phone thefts have been driven largely by organized crime, contributing to an unsafe environment on our streets. This situation needs to be addressed.”
Alongside the surge in mobile phone thefts, data from Greater London authorities reported an 18% rise in gun crime, a 9% rise in rape, an 11% rise in sexual offenses, and a striking 38% rise in shoplifting and business burglaries over the last year.
