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London's Phone Theft Epidemic: One Stolen Every 9 Minutes
27 Mar
Summary
- Over 61,000 mobile phones were stolen in London during 2025.
- Westminster borough recorded the highest number of phone thefts.
- Estimated annual cost of stolen phones in London reaches £61 million.
In 2025, London experienced an alarming surge in mobile phone thefts, with 61,331 devices reported stolen. This amounts to an average of one phone taken every nine minutes across the city. The Metropolitan Police reported a slight decrease last year, marking the first fall since their data tracking began in February 2022. However, the overall trend remains concerning, as the 2025 figures are nearly double those recorded in 2022.
Westminster emerged as the most affected borough, with 18,932 phones stolen, representing almost a third of the total. Other boroughs like Camden and Southwark also reported substantial numbers. Experts estimate the annual cost of these thefts to Londoners could reach £61 million, especially for individuals without phone insurance. The police are actively working to combat this crime, with recent operations leading to hundreds of arrests and the recovery of numerous stolen devices.
