Overview

• Actress Rosamund Pike was mugged and punched in the face by a cyclist who snatched her phone while she spoke to her mother on the phone.
• More than 70,000 mobile phones were reported stolen in London last year, with the City of Westminster being the worst-affected borough.
• Thieves often use e-bikes for quick getaways, with some incidents involving violence and distraction techniques.
• The Metropolitan Police reported a 43% decrease in phone thefts in December 2024 following operations involving CCTV monitoring and increased officer awareness.
• Authorities are collaborating with mobile phone companies to prevent stolen devices from being sold or reused, aiming to curb the global black market for stolen phones.