What should I do if my phone is stolen in the UK?

1. Stay calm and ensure your safety. 2. Use Find My iPhone/Android to locate or lock your device. 3. Report to police via 101 or online. 4. Contact your mobile provider to block the SIM. 5. Notify your bank to secure banking apps.

How many phones are stolen in London each year?

71,391 phones were recorded stolen in London in 2025 (Met Police), roughly one every 7 minutes. Thefts peaked at 117,211 in 2024 (Met FOI data) and fell about 12% in 2025 following a major crackdown.

What is the recovery rate for stolen phones in the UK?

The vast majority of stolen phones in the UK are never recovered, making prevention and immediate action after theft crucial.

How can tourists keep their phones safe while visiting London?

Use cross-body bags, avoid using phones near kerbs or open train doors, enable Face ID/biometrics, turn on Find My, and save local emergency and carrier contact numbers before you arrive.

A phone is stolen in London every seven minutes.

Protect Your Phone Phone Stolen? Act Now Learn How Thieves Operate

117,211 stolen in 2024 (Met FOI) · down 12.3% in 2025 · Live stats & sources

London visitors

Tourist safety: keep your phone secure in London

Fast tips for travellers and students: avoid kerbside scrolling, use cross-body bags, pre-save Find My links, and know who to contact if you're targeted.

SafetyVisitor Safety Guide EmergencyEmergency Steps

Before you arrive

Enable Find My, turn on device passcodes and Face ID/biometrics, and store IMEI + carrier contact numbers.

While in the city

Keep devices away from kerbs and train doors, use cross-body straps, and avoid flashing phones in crowded tourist hotspots.

If it's stolen

Lock the device remotely, block the SIM, call your bank, and file a report with police: follow the 5-step emergency guide.

Latest Mobile Security News

Updates on UK mobile theft trends, policy changes, and safety guides.

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law change

27 Aug 2026

Met Police unveils new unit on 50mph e-bikes to tackle London’s phone snatchers

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27 Aug 2026

Worried About Data After Phone Theft? Android 17 Introduces New Security Protection - Asianet Newsable

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27 Aug 2026

London police hail their expanded e-bike fleet as 'game changer' against phone theft - Reuters

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London 2025One phone stolen every 7 minutes.

Source: Met Police, phones recorded stolen in London, 2025protectmymobile.xyz

One borough16,639 phones taken in Westminster alone.

Source: police.uk recorded crime data, 12 months to June 2026protectmymobile.xyz

Do this todayKnow your IMEI before a thief does.protectmymobile.xyz

Safety slides

See how theft happens, and how to stop it

Shareable slide sets on moped snatches, transport grabs, nightlife and more, with the advice written out.

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visual playbooks

UK data

Theft hotspots & statistics

See where thefts happen most, when you're at highest risk, and how the epidemic is growing across UK cities.

View statistics

Phones stolen
in London (2024)

Met Police data

Fall in thefts
2025 vs 2024

Met Police data

Arrests in one
4-week blitz (2026)

Met Police data

Every 7 min

One stolen
(2025 rate)

Met Police data

View Detailed Statistics

Essential Resources

Prevention Guides

Secure your device with PIN locks, SIM protection, and app security. Learn how to prevent theft before it happens.

Learn How to Protect Your Phone

Emergency Response

Phone stolen? Follow our 5-step emergency checklist to lock your device, secure accounts, and report the theft.

See Emergency Steps

UK Bank Contacts

Emergency contact numbers for 25+ UK banks. Secure your accounts and prevent fraud immediately.

Find Your Bank

Mobile Networks

Contact details for 50+ UK mobile providers. Block your SIM and prevent unauthorized usage.

Find Your Provider

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