'Snatch theft': London police taking measures to curb phone stealing

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) — London's streets face an epidemic of "snatch theft," with phones especially in the sights of perpetrators.

According to the data, an estimated 78,000 people had their phones or bags grabbed from them in the British capital last year, in what police think could be driven by increased demand for second-hand devices, both in the UK and overseas.

More than 200 snatch thefts are taking place across England and Wales daily, according to Crime Survey data estimates for the latest 12-month period. This is the highest rate in more than a decade — almost 60% higher than the annual average since 2012-2013. More than 58,000 of those "snatch thefts" were in the British capital.

To help authorities curb the wave of snatched phones, which has soared 150% over the last year, British people are being advised to have their handsets marked with unique QR codes and register them in a secure official database.

"Phone marking" is one of the key initiatives taken by the authorities in a bid to prevent crime, raise public awareness, and get back snatched phones.

A free pop-up mobile phone tagging event — one in many that have taken place recently — was launched outside Clissold Park in North London, spearheaded by the Hackney Council in partnership with the police.

Speaking to Anadolu, Mohammed Chowdhury, community support police officer, said of the benefits of such a campaign that "any awareness will help."

Snatchers typically target "easy prey" — people who may be using their phones while walking on the street, unaware of their surroundings, or who put their devices in their back pockets, Chowdhury said.

This is when "robbery happens," said the officer. "Sometimes, you have to be careful. Whether you are an adult or a child, you have to be careful."

"When we see even children or young (people), or adults walking around while on the phone, we always tell them to look over their shoulder to see who is passing by."

He urged people to get their phone marked, an initiative he said could help prevent crime.

Sophie, a local Londoner who got her phone marked, related the difficulty of finding a phone once it is snatched.

"I know that the police don't have many resources, so it's very difficult. The people doing it wear masks they wear black, so they all look the same. They're all often on similar bikes so it's very difficult for them (authorities) to follow up."

Sophie, who said her phone was just recently stolen "right outside" her house, urged others to participate in the phone marking campaign, too.

"I'm very straightforward to do it, and I would recommend everyone does," she said, pointing out the increasing number of theft going on in the capital.

She joined soon after finding out about the initiative, which she hopes will ease efforts to recover stolen phones and serve as a deterrent for would-be snatchers, as they will face a greater risk of getting caught.

For her previous phone though, which was not marked, Sophie has little hope of getting it back. "I know my phone ended up in China, and I think that's what happens with a lot of them," she said.

Joha, another local who is taking part in the drive, is confident that if his phone does get stolen, it can be more easily recovered.

Speaking to Anadolu, he welcomed the method, as a "very, very good one."

"I haven't lost my phone and had it recovered yet, but it's a very, very good scheme," he said. "I have to say since I've registered my phone, I've never felt more ... secure, knowing that my phone would be recovered."