How to protect yourself from phone snatch thefts – and five steps to follow if your handset is stolen

The Sun

24-05-2025

PHONE 'snatch thefts' are soaring, with more than 1,000 stolen in London every week.
Last year more than 70,000 handsets were taken in the capital, up 34 per cent on the previous year, according to a Freedom of Information request to the Metropolitan Police by comparison website comparethemarket.com.
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It is a similar picture around the UK. Official figures show personal thefts in England and Wales are up 22 per cent, with police recording 152,416 such offences last year, the highest since 2003.
With many smartphones costing more than £1,000 to replace, ministers have pledged a crackdown.
In the meantime, Laura Miller advises on how to find the right insurance to protect yourself.
THERE are a few different options for cover — standalone gadget insurance, personal possessions cover as part of your home contents insurance, or as a benefit from a packaged bank account.
Anna McEntee, insurance expert at comparethemarket, said: 'The best option will depend on how much coverage you're looking for outside of the home.'
Always shop around among providers and comparison websites for the best deal.
The price will vary, based on your phone.
Make sure you check the excess for each policy before you choose one.
GADGET INSURANCE
THIS provides cover for a single item or a bundle of devices under one policy, including mobile phones.
It generally covers the cost of repairing or replacing your devices if they are accidentally damaged, lost or stolen, either from your home or car, or while you are on the go.
Five ways to cut your insurance costs
Always read reviews before taking out insurance.
Many policies include unauthorised data usage if your phone is stolen — as long as you report the theft promptly and contact your network provider to blacklist the stolen device and halt service.
It usually costs £1.50 to £15 per month, depending on the level of cover.
PACKAGED BANK ACCOUNT COVER
IF you have three or more phones in a family, a packaged bank account could be the cheapest way to insure them.
If you need to get travel and breakdown cover, it may be worth it, even if you just have one or two phones to cover.
For example, the Virgin Money Club M account costs £12.50 a month and covers your gadgets and those of a relative living with you, for up to £2,000 a year.
The Nationwide FlexPlus account costs £18 per month and covers all the family's smartphones for up to £2,000 each, including kids under 19, or those under 22 in full-time education.
There are limits on how many times a year you can claim a phone.
HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE
YOU could add your smartphone to your home contents cover — but check that your policy includes gadgets outside your property.
The excess is usually £100 to £300 per claim, so it might not be worth it if your phone is not expensive.
Claiming on your home insurance could also push up the cost when it comes to renewing.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PHONE IS STOLEN
REPORT your phone's theft to the police and mobile network. Your network provider can block your SIM to prevent other people making calls on your account.
Insurance expert Alicia Hempsted, of finance website moneysupermarket.com, said: 'Try to get in touch with them within 24 hours — otherwise you may be liable to pay the full amount for any additional charges incurred.'
Reporting a theft to the police will give you a crime reference number, and Anna McEntee adds: 'This will be essential for making an insurance claim. You should also contact your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process.'
The National Police Chiefs' Council recommends doing this:
CHOOSE a strong PIN, passcode, password or pattern.
KNOW your IMEI number. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code on each mobile which can track it. Type *#06# on your phone keypad and the number/QR code pops up. Take a screenshot or print it out and keep it somewhere separate to your phone.
USE a tracking app on your phone to see where it is from another device.
TURN OFF message previews so thieves won't see any messages about reset or log-in codes when your phone is locked.
MAKE sure you can still access your data via other devices.