SnatchbackLondon
Phone snatched in London? Here's what to do.
Around 170 phones are stolen in London every day, often snatched from people's hands by thieves on bikes or mopeds. The first few minutes matter most, because that's when thieves try to get into your bank and message your friends.
What to do, step by step
- 1
Get inside a shop, pub or café
Don't chase a moped or e-bike. Thieves are fast and can be dangerous. If you're hurt, ask staff to call 999 for you.
- 2
Borrow any phone
Ask staff or a passer-by if you can use their phone or tablet for two minutes.
- 3
Open snatchback.co.uk and enter your number and PIN
Your emergency contacts get a text telling them not to send money or click links from your number, plus a help link. No login needed: they can warn your group chats and help block your SIM while you call 159.
- 4
Call 159 on the borrowed phone
The UK's bank fraud hotline puts you through to your bank so you can freeze your cards and Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- 5
Block the SIM and phone
Call your network with your IMEI (Snatchback shows it) so they block your SIM and the handset.
- 6
Report it to the Met Police
Once your money is safe, report online or call 101 to get a crime reference number. Most insurers ask for one.
Report online with the Metropolitan Police.
Where phones get snatched most
Phones reported stolen in 2025, by borough (Met Police figures).
| Borough | Phones stolen | Busy areas |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster | 18,932 | West End, Oxford Street, Soho, Covent Garden |
| Camden | 5,543 | Camden Town, King's Cross, Tottenham Court Road |
| Southwark | 5,276 | London Bridge, Borough, South Bank |
| Hackney | 3,977 | Shoreditch, Dalston |
| Newham | 2,990 | Stratford |
| Islington | 2,737 | Angel, Upper Street |
Source: Met Police crime data, as reported by the Daily Mail, March 2026. Nearly a third of London's phone thefts happen in Westminster.
Make yourself a harder target
- • Step back from the kerb when you use your phone, especially at crossings and outside tube stations.
- • Don't type your passcode where people can see it. Use a longer passcode with letters and numbers.
- • Turn on Stolen Device Protection (iPhone) or Theft Detection Lock (Android).
- • Set up Snatchback now: a 4-digit emergency PIN, one emergency contact and your IMEI (dial *#06#).
Phone stolen in London: common questions
Can thieves get into my bank if they snatched my phone unlocked?
Yes, that's why speed matters. Call 159 from a borrowed phone straight away so your bank can freeze your cards and app access.
Should I chase someone who snatched my phone?
No. Phone thieves in London often ride mopeds or e-bikes and some carry weapons. Your phone isn't worth getting hurt over.
How do I get a crime reference number from the Met?
Report the theft online on the Metropolitan Police website or call 101. You'll get a reference number to give your insurer and network.
What if I never set up Snatchback?
You can still follow the steps: borrow a phone, call 159, call your network and report it to the Met. Setting up takes 60 seconds and makes it much faster next time.
Run a pub, shop or café in London?
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