A new advertising campaign from the Metropolitan Police is warning people to appreciate the value of their possessions and to protect them from the risk of street robbery. Radio advertisements and posters are reminding Londoners to protect mobile phones, tablets, jewellery and cash - although it’s phones that are the favourite target for thieves.
Around 70% of items taken in personal robberies are mobile phones, with the Apple iPhone accounting for around half of all mobile phone thefts. In a six-month period last year, an average of 314 phones were stolen in Greater London every per day.
Theft figures from the Met show have previously shown a rise at the beginning of the year - and with December 2012 seeing 9,751 mobile phone crime offences, it looks as though this month could pass 10,000.
Young professionals aged between 20 and 30 are most likely to be targeted by criminals, with men more likely to be robbed and women more prone to theft.
Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Letchford, Territorial Policing crime lead for the Metropolitan Police Service, said “We’re trying to make people think differently with this campaign - having your personal possessions on show gives robbers a chance to make easy money. If you are a victim you may lose things that have a personal value to you and which can’t always be replaced, in addition to the cost of replacing items. Just being conscious of where you are and being careful about when you display your valuables can help you avoid being targeted. Don't let yourself become a victim and ruin the start of your 2013.”