This London borough has the most mobile phone thefts

The next time you bring your phone out to chart your itineraries, take selfies or just wave it around in the public, police are warning that you should be always be careful, as incidents of phone theft are increasing across London.

There are numerous ways that phones might be stolen, including being forcefully removed from your grasp or surreptitiously snatched from your pocket or purse.

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

London boroughs with increasing phone theft

According to the Metropolitan Police’s report, the London borough where phone thefts have increased the most is Greenwich. There were 451 instances last year, up 123 per cent over the previous year (202 reports).

Southwark ranked second with an 81.4 per cent increase in phone theft over the previous year, trailed by Westminster with a 71 per cent increase.

There was a 40 per cent increase in phone theft in Camden and Lambeth, which prompted more warnings.

Nevertheless, the Met's study on phone thefts wasn't entirely negative. There was a roughly 25 per cent decrease in phone theft in certain districts, including Kingston upon Thames, Sutton and Richmond.

The worst London boroughs for phone theft

A study conducted by insurance firm Loveit Coverit has used Met Police data from January 2023 to 2024 to estimate 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

• Tower Hamlets

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

What to do if your phone has been stolen

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

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

As soon as you can, report it to your local police station by going in person, giving them a call at 101 or reporting online.You should give the authorities the phone's identification number (IMEI), which you can get from your network operator. Keep in mind the criminal reference number, which you'll need it to submit an insurance claim.