Latest news with #LondonCrime
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Seann Walsh reveals his phone was stolen 'straight from his hand' in London just days after a Strictly star was mugged
Seann Walsh revealed his phone was stolen 'straight from his hand' in London just days after a Strictly star was mugged. The comedian, 39, said that a thief nabbed the device 'a week or so ago' and it was now in China, according to Find My iPhone. Professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, was also robbed in broad daylight in London this week, leaving her 'scared and helpless'. Following his ordeal, Seann shared a screenshot of his phone's whereabouts to his Instagram Story on Sunday and wrote: 'My phone was stolen (yes, out of my hand and yes, I live in London) a week or so ago and it is now in China if anyone happens to be passing by.' A fan replied to Seann and asked him to write a book about the things that have happened in his life. They added: 'I am very sorry about your phone but please, please write a book of all things that happen to you. "It could only happen to me."' Seann added: 'If there are any publishers following me, I am open to this but it will be a very long book. I'm calling it Typical.' Phone thefts in London have hit a record high with a shocking 37 people having their mobile stolen every day in the capital's West End alone. New data has revealed that almost 231,000 phone thefts and robberies were recorded over the past four years in the capital, a threefold increase. The epicentre for these brazen crimes is in the world's theatre capital, the West End, a magnet for tourists where around 40,000 phones were reported stolen over the same period, data by the Metropolitan Police shows. Elsewhere, Strictly dancer Michelle was on her way to the dentist early in the morning when her phone was snatched. In an emotional post on Instagram, the ballroom star recounted the 'traumatising' incident to fans whilst urging them to stay vigilant. Michelle said in a video message: 'This was a couple of days ago and I've just about mentally recovered from that. It was quite traumatising on the day. 'It wasted my whole day and made me feel awful, scared, helpless and I don't want the same to happen to you.' She explained: 'My phone got stolen. My phone got stolen. I mean I see it happening all the time but it's just one of those things that you just never think it's gonna happen to you. and then it does.' Michelle, who joined Strictly three years ago, said a man on a bike swiped her mobile while she was in Convent Garden. 'So it was early morning. I was on my way to the dentist in London. It was around Covent Garden so the streets were really quiet. 'I think I was just the only person around so maybe I was an easy target and I whipped out my phone to have a look at the directions to see where my dentist was. 'I was on the actual street of the dentist and what happens? A man comes on a bike behind me, sweeps past me and grabs my phone. 'So he's grabbed my phone. He's on an electric bike and my heart just sank. I tried to I think like reach for it and that made me fall on my knees on the floor and graze my knee. 'I think my reflex was just to swear and then scream give me back my phone and clearly you know that didn't work. 'He just left. He was wearing a mask so there was no way that I could have seen what he looked like and he was going really fast on that electric bike so there was no way on earth I could have caught up with him. 'Thankfully there were two really lovely and helpful women there and they'd seen that I was a bit distressed.'
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sean Walsh reveals his phone was stolen 'straight from his hand' in London just days after a Strictly star was mugged
Seann Walsh revealed his phone was stolen 'straight from his hand' in London just days after a Strictly star was mugged. The comedian, 39, said that a thief nabbed the device 'a week or so ago' and it was now in China, according to Find My iPhone. Professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas, 29, was also robbed in broad daylight in London this week, leaving her 'scared and helpless'. Following his ordeal, Seann shared a screenshot of his phone's whereabouts to his Instagram Story on Sunday and wrote: 'My phone was stolen (yes, out of my hand and yes, I live in London) a week or so ago and it is now in China if anyone happens to be passing by.' A fan replied to Seann and asked him to write a book about the things that have happened in his life. They added: 'I am very sorry about your phone but please, please write a book of all things that happen to you. "It could only happen to me."' Seann added: 'If there are any publishers following me, I am open to this but it will be a very long book. I'm calling it Typical.' Phone thefts in London have hit a record high with a shocking 37 people having their mobile stolen every day in the capital's West End alone. New data has revealed that almost 231,000 phone thefts and robberies were recorded over the past four years in the capital, a threefold increase. The epicentre for these brazen crimes is in the world's theatre capital, the West End, a magnet for tourists where around 40,000 phones were reported stolen over the same period, data by the Metropolitan Police shows. Elsewhere, Strictly dancer Michelle was on her way to the dentist early in the morning when her phone was snatched. In an emotional post on Instagram, the ballroom star recounted the 'traumatising' incident to fans whilst urging them to stay vigilant. Michelle said in a video message: 'This was a couple of days ago and I've just about mentally recovered from that. It was quite traumatising on the day. 'It wasted my whole day and made me feel awful, scared, helpless and I don't want the same to happen to you.' She explained: 'My phone got stolen. My phone got stolen. I mean I see it happening all the time but it's just one of those things that you just never think it's gonna happen to you. and then it does.' Michelle, who joined Strictly three years ago, said a man on a bike swiped her mobile while she was in Convent Garden. 'So it was early morning. I was on my way to the dentist in London. It was around Covent Garden so the streets were really quiet. 'I think I was just the only person around so maybe I was an easy target and I whipped out my phone to have a look at the directions to see where my dentist was. 'I was on the actual street of the dentist and what happens? A man comes on a bike behind me, sweeps past me and grabs my phone. 'So he's grabbed my phone. He's on an electric bike and my heart just sank. I tried to I think like reach for it and that made me fall on my knees on the floor and graze my knee. 'I think my reflex was just to swear and then scream give me back my phone and clearly you know that didn't work. 'He just left. He was wearing a mask so there was no way that I could have seen what he looked like and he was going really fast on that electric bike so there was no way on earth I could have caught up with him. 'Thankfully there were two really lovely and helpful women there and they'd seen that I was a bit distressed.'
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Daily Mail
London phone thefts hit record high with 37 people having mobiles stolen every DAY in the West End alone
Phone thefts in London have hit a record high with a shocking 37 people having their mobile stolen every day in the capital's West End alone. New data has revealed that almost 231,000 phone thefts and robberies were recorded over the past four years in the capital, a threefold increase. The epicentre for these brazen crimes is in the world's theatre capital, the West End, a magnet for tourists where around 40,000 phones were reported stolen over the same period, data by the Metropolitan Police shows. Phone thefts in London have soared to record levels, with organised gangs targeting busy areas like the West End and St James's, where luxury streets and royal residences sit side by side with swarms of unsuspecting tourists and shoppers. One major hotspot identified is the area surrounding St James's Park, where Piccadilly and Haymarket meet Pall Mall and Clarence House, home to exclusive members' clubs and high-profile buildings. Analysis by The Times show the West End and St James's now account for a third of all phone thefts reported in the capital, up from a quarter in 2021. Scotland Yard figures show a staggering 81,256 mobile phone crimes were recorded in 2023, a 20 per cent year-on-year rise, and the highest on record. Police believe the true number is even higher, as many incidents go unreported. Other major hotspots include Bloomsbury, Holborn, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Borough, London Bridge, Waterloo, South Bank, Camden Town, Regent's Park and Stratford. Since 2022, theft rates have risen in more than 200 suburbs across the capital — meaning over a third of London is now affected by the growing crisis. Most thefts are carried out by gangs on electric bikes, who either snatch phones directly from people's hands or operate in crowded areas to pickpocket victims. Police say the surge is fuelled by international black markets, where stolen devices are either sold on or stripped for parts — an illicit industry now worth over £50 million a year. Officers are urging Londoners to stick to well-lit, busy areas, remain alert, and keep valuables out of sight to avoid falling prey to the increasingly brazen criminals. As previously reported the shocking moment a phone snatcher is captured being knocked off his bike by furious Londoners before losing a shoe that police later used to catch him was caught on CCTV. Spencer Duarte, of Saffron Walden, was tackled off his e-bike by members of the public after he stole a phone from an innocent victim's hand in Ludgate Hill, London, on August 7 last year. Dramatic video footage showed the moment a quick-thinking pedestrian leapt into the street and intercepted the robber, who fell into the road while on his bike. Duarte, who initially stood up and was able to get back on his bike, was then chased down by two more members of the public. Cornered on the side of the pavement, he was pulled from his bike a second time as he attempted to flee. The phone thief, dressed in a flourescent top and helmet, then proceeded to run across the road away from the furious Londoners. In a last minute attempt at halting the robber, another four pedestrians reached out to try and grab hold of Duarte, who darted at speed between the different men before making a successful exit down the road. During the ensuing struggle, Duarte lost a shoe, which police detectives later used to catch him for his crimes as a result of the DNA it held. The 28-year-old, who was spotted and arrested by Metropolitan Police officers on September 9, admitted to one count of theft at Inner London Crown Court this week. He also accepted that he had items in his rucksack going equipped to steal. Duarte is due to be sentenced on September 12. Dubbed the 'Cinderella phone snatcher', Andrew Walker, physical forensics manager of the City of London Police, described how Duarte was ultimately caught as a result of his trainer being left at the scene. He said: 'We were able to get sufficient levels of DNA from the shoe to obtain a single, major profile that was suitable for searching against the national DNA database. 'This search generated a 'hit' to a male whose profile had previously been uploaded. 'The slipper fitted our Cinderella and we were able to bring him before the courts.' Meanwhile, dramatic scene unfolded in Westminster where a cyclist, wearing all black clothes, overtook some cars on the road before suddenly swerving to the left. The video shows the cyclist clearly turning their attention towards a pedestrian walking on the pavement. The man, wearing running clothes, was on his phone as the thief brazenly mounted onto the pavement and quickly snatched it from him. The victim puts his hands to his head in disbelief before making a belated attempt to run after the thief.
Times
27-06-2025
- Times
London mobile phone thefts hit a record high
Every day 37 people on average are having their phones stolen in the West End as London's mobile theft epidemic soars to record levels. Metropolitan Police data reveals that almost 231,000 phone thefts and robberies were recorded over the past four years in the capital, representing a three-fold increase in such offences. The epicentre is the West End, a magnet for tourists, where almost 40,000 phones were reported stolen over the same period. Another crime hotspot is adjacent to St James's, where Piccadilly and Haymarket borders Pall Mall, Clarence House, its namesake palace and exclusive members' clubs. A third of all reported London thefts were in the West End and St James's compared with a quarter in 2021, according to a Times analysis. • How London became the phone-snatching capital of Europe A record 81,256 mobile crimes were reported last year in London after a 20 per cent surge in recorded offences in 12 months, Scotland Yard figures show. The true figure is probably higher due to many crimes going unreported. Other hotspots were Bloomsbury, Holborn, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Borough, London Bridge, Waterloo, South Bank, Camden Town, Regent's Park and Stratford. Rising levels of phone thefts have been reported in 217 London suburbs, or more than a third of the capital, since 2022. Most thefts occur in London, where gangs, often on electric bikes, grab devices out of unsuspecting pedestrian hands or pickpocket victims. Police say the crisis has escalated because organised gangs are selling stolen mobiles on the overseas black market or they are being stripped for parts, a crimewave worth more than £50 million a year. Officers urge people to keep to busy, well-lit streets or paths that CCTV is more likely to cover, and to keep valuables hidden in public. The Met was contacted for comment. A National Police Chiefs' Council spokeswoman said forces were 'committed to tackling personal robbery which can have a devastating impact on victims'. 'In some cases, there may not be enough information for police to act upon or bring about criminal proceedings,' she said. 'For these types of offences, police focus on targeting prolific offenders, organised crime networks and ensuring effective prevention measures are in place. We understand the disappointment felt by victims who do not get a quality service by the police or the outcomes they would want through the criminal justice system.' Apple and Google have various anti-theft initiatives to remote wipe and lock, find devices or require other identity checks to 'disrupt and discourage criminals from stealing phones'. • Police 'forced to deprioritise phone thefts and shoplifting' Apple said: 'We have been working on this issue from a hardware, software and customer support standpoint for more than the last decade.' This month Apple told MPs it was 'considering' how to prevent stolen devices working through its International Mobile Equipment Identity number. Google added: 'For years Android has invested in advanced theft protection features … to help prevent theft and block stolen devices.' Samsung said: 'We're in constant collaboration … to look at new and existing solutions to help combat this complex issue and ultimately help improve the safety of mobile phone users.'
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Nine phones AN HOUR were reported stolen in Sadiq Khan's London last year costing £50million... with more than half of devices ending up in Algeria and China
Around 80,000 smartphones were reported stolen in London last year - a staggering nine an hour - at a cost of £50million, top police officers told MPs today. As they outlined the 'organised criminal enterprise' they were grappling with, senior Scotland Yard bosses admitted there was a 'growing and very serious problem'. They revealed how three-quarters of stolen devices in the capital are sent abroad, with vast numbers ending up in both Algeria and China. Appearing before a House of Commons committee, the Metropolitan Police officers said the black market for smartphones was driving rates of theft, robbery and knife crime. It was even seeing those criminals who were once involved in drug crime pivoting towards smartphone theft and robbery as an alternative means of illicit income. The officers warned that gangs of teenagers on bikes were committing 10 to 20 thefts at a time in some parts of London. Their stark admission about the extent of the problem will pile fresh pressure on London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who is responsible for policing in the capital. The Labour politician - who has also recently been challenged over fare-dodgers on the London Underground - previously said he was 'determined to eliminate the scourge of mobile phone theft'. Speaking to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee this morning, Darren Scates - the Met Police's chief digital, data and technology officer - set out the scale of the problem. 'This is an organised criminal enterprise that we're dealing with, it's an international enterprise although... it is particularly acute in London,' he told MPs. 'We do see those similar numbers in Madrid, Paris, Barcelona - certainly on a per capita basis they suffer very similarly to London. 'In London, in 2024, unfortunately about 80,000 smartphones were reported as stolen. 'That compares to 2023 when the number was 64,000, so we have a growing and very serious problem that we're dealing with. 'Stolen devices are changing hands on the streets for between £300-400.' He told MPs that 80 per cent of devices that are reported stolen to the Met Police are Apple devices. 'So we believe they are probably being targeted for their value and/or there is a greater incentive maybe to report an Apple device as stolen, because they tend to be a high-value item,' he added. 'We have done some research into what happens to these devices, as you would expect. What we find is about 75 per cent of them, we believe, are actually moved abroad. 'The prime locations at the moment - and this will vary I'm sure - will be Algeria and China/Hong Kong. About 28 per cent go to each of those two locations.' James Conway, the Met Police's lead on phone theft, said the scale of phone theft in London last year had a street value of around £20million. But the replacement value of stolen phones for members of the public and insurance companies was estimated at £50million last year. 'Around half of the robberies in London are mobile it's driving our robbery problem,' he added. 'Around two-thirds of our thefts in London relate to mobile phones, so this is also driving our theft problem. 'But then, if you take a step deeper, 65 to 70 per cent of our knife crime is produced by our robbery problem. 'So this is also driving a significant chunk of our violence challenge in London and across the UK.' DCS Conway said Scotland Yard and other large metropolitan forces had placed a 'sharp focus' on phone theft for a couple of years. 'In recent months we have seen a decline,' he continued. 'In the first couple of months of this financial year [there has been] around a 50 per cent reduction in theft. 'And around a 13 per cent reduction in robbery when we compare to the opening months of the previous financial year.' He also described how the capital's criminal gangs had moved towards phone theft in recent years. 'In my previous role I led for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets,' DCS Conway told the committee. 'And we would regularly see criminal gangs who maybe a few years ago would have been involved in drug dealing almost exclusively pivot back into mobile phone theft and robbery. 'Teenagers on bikes riding down the A10 corridor committing 10-20 robberies or thefts on the go, packaging those phones very swiftly into silver foil or to Faraday bags to make it more difficult for us to identify their ultimate location. 'And then swifly passing them on to a middle market handler and ultimately the transport out of the UK.'
