Thefts on a person have almost doubled in three years in London, according to Metropolitan Police data.
The number of thefts of belongings on or held by someone from January to September 2024 now totals 72,848 – almost double the 37,899 thefts committed in 2021.
Since the beginning of 2021, data shows a continuous increase in the number of yearly thefts on a person – with 57,472 recorded in 2022, and 72,712 the following year.
Pensioner Sam Alden, who had his phone snatched from him on 3rd October, said: “I got really anxious, traumatised in a way.
“The experience leaves you in a really bad way afterwards.
“I cannot trust anyone, I do not want to be outside using a phone.”
Whilst checking his phone at a bus stop in north London, Alden said a moped driver snatched his phone before he could even realise what had happened.
A public poll on community safety published by the Home Office in 2023 shows that nearly two-thirds of London adults were concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour in their local area.
A 19-year-old thief from Tottenham, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “It does not matter if the borough is rich or not.
“I go to areas with big shopping centres to try and find someone with a designer bag, jacket or phone worth taking.”
This article does not include data on thefts on a person in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restricted the movement of people outdoors.
The number of thefts in 2020, affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, cannot be fairly compared to the number of thefts in the years following – where no such restrictions were present.
It is expected for the fourth quarter of 2024 to experience a significant increase in the number of thefts on a person.
This follows the trend in thefts between September and November in the previous years.
During these months, thefts on a person increased by 40% in 2021, 68% in 2022 and 69% in 2023 – the greatest percentage increase of thefts throughout the years.
Sandra Campbell, CEO of Word 4 Weapons said that this is in part due to it being the retail and holiday season.
She said: “Events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and early Christmas shopping increases foot traffic in shopping areas and creates opportunities for thieves to steal valuable goods.”
Almost a third of annual revenues for London fashion designers and retailers derive from the fourth quarter of the year, as the October to December period is the busiest for luxury and premium brands, according to global performance agency Croud Luxe.
London recorded its highest month of thefts on a person in March 2024, accounting for 9,750 thefts.
The slight increase in thefts on a person during March may result from people returning to their outdoor routine for the spring season – increasing foot traffic and opportunities for thieves.
Ashlley Reyes, 27, whilst on holiday in London in September had her bag – including her passport, bank cards and £140 cash – stolen from her table at a Café Nero in Oxford Circus.
The Filipino dental office secretary said: “When I realised my bag was taken, I started to cry because I was worried about how I was going to get back to the Philippines.
“I had less than a week till my flight and had to rush to the embassy to get travel documents in time.
“I do still love London, but I now cannot feel comfortable in it.”
Half an hour after someone took her bag, her phone notified her of someone using her card to purchase goods.
Campbell also attributed the rise of thefts in October to the month having shorter days and the sun setting as early as 4:30pm as reduced daylight hours are likely to increase criminal activity as thieves may feel emboldened to strike under the cover of darkness.
The Metropolitan Police press bureau was unable to provide a comment on the rise in thefts on a person in London.
Featured image credit: Fungai Tichawangana, free for use under the Pixabay Content License
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