Phone thefts and robberies in Southwark rose sharply this year while the rest of London saw a significant decline, new Met Police data shows.
Southwark’s phone theft and robbery numbers rose by 21% from 4,008 to 4,837 between January and August this year compared to last, an increase of 829 offences.
However, London-wide data fell by 19% from 48,866 to 39,521, a decrease of 9,345 offences, though the capital remains a national hotspot, with a phone being taken roughly every nine minutes..
Other high-increase boroughs include Merton (19%) and Barnet (18%), while boroughs with the largest decline include Kensington and Chelsea (-47%) and Hammersmith and Fulham (-42%).
In 2025, one out of 12 London phone thefts and robberies occurred in Southwark, which has risen to one in eight this year.
Out of Southwark’s 23 wards, the greatest local area hotspot is Borough and Bankside with 747 cases this year, with London Bridge and West Bermondsey seeing 676 cases, an increase of 223 from last year.
Southwark resident and victim of phone theft, Doina Grubi, 39, said: “It just feels sad that we are living in a city where you need to be fully aware at all times and cannot let your guard down for a second.”
On July 1 around 9 pm, Grubi was going home having met some friends on the South Bank, when her iPhone 16 Pro was snatched from her hand by a cyclist approaching from behind her.
Grubi’s incident was one of 724 phone thefts and robberies in July that occurred across Southwark alone.
She said: “I honestly for a second thought this person would return and give it back to me – that’s how blindsided I was.”
The theft had a lasting effect on her, as she added: “I had no phone and literally felt naked.
“It just makes you realise that all our lives are on our phone.”
Other residents also raised similar concerns with some seeing several phone thefts through their window while another having also witnessed robbery and been a victim of assult.
Her experience occurring near Elephant and Castle station raises the question of whether a possible rise in the number of passengers has resulted in an increase in phone theft and robbery.
However, between the same periods in 2025 and 2026, Southwark’s six major stations footfall decreased by 3.5%, with Elephant and Castle Station seeing a 6.2% decline.
This suggests that the change in passenger footfall cannot explain the increase in Southwark’s phone theft and robbery.
Instead, the Elizabeth Line’s Paddington station saw the greatest increase at 8.8%, despite being in Westminster, where phone theft and robbery fell by 44.9%, the second-highest decrease across London.
From 2021, both theft and robbery across London and Southwark increased, but in 2024, the amount of theft compared to robbery began to diverge.
Southwark remained in line with London’s overall trend until 2025, but this year it has differed dramatically, with robbery increasing by 45% in Southwark versus 2% across London.
Meanwhile, theft fell by 23% in London compared to an increase of 17% in Southwark.
Commander Andy Featherstone, Met Police’s lead for tackling phone theft, said: “London is becoming a much harder place to steal phones.
“The risks are increasing, the opportunities are shrinking, and we are coming after you.”
As part of its operations, the Met Police arrested more than 700 people and seized hundreds of phones suspected of being stolen this September.
Current tactics to deal with the rise have been to use drones and high-powered e-bikes alongside live facial recognition at theft hotspots.
On one day in Southwark, four arrests were made, with 12 suspected stolen phones taken and some returned to their owners.
Southwark Council has said it is working with Met Police and local partners to address the concern, including the use of new CCTV cameras, improved lighting and high-visibility safety activity.
Head of External Affairs at Victim Support, Alex Mayes, said: “Many victims are left feeling vulnerable, violated, and anxious about going out in public.
“The loss of photos, videos and messages which may not be backed up can be heartbreaking.
“The police must take these crimes seriously.”
Grubi, echoed this sentiment, adding: “I was aware of it, but I just thought it couldn’t happen to me.”
Featured image credit: Tahira Amini
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