Online we’re all guilty of sharing only the highlight reel from the places we visit and the trips we take. We rave about the food, the must‑see sights, and how amazing it feels to discover a new city far from home.
The reality, though, is often very different. Travel throws curveballs, and it takes just a moment for a holiday to go off the rails.
That’s exactly what happened on one of my recent trips to London. I’m going to spell it all out, because this can’t keep happening!
Stay Alert in London
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know how much I like London and head there whenever I get the chance. There’s always a ton to do, and every time you go back you uncover something new.
Which, of course, means the city is also jam‑packed with tourists. According to VisitBritain (the UK’s official tourist authority), the country welcomed a staggering 19.5 million visitors in 2024, an 11% jump on 2023, and naturally, most of them made a beeline for the capital.
All that foot traffic also means London is crawling with tourist scams and pickpockets, and there’s one thing that happens so often, I’m sure you already know exactly what I’m about to talk about!
London is the Phone‑Theft Capital
And just so you know, that’s not me talking, it’s The Times. A study they cited ranks London as the European capital in phone thefts: a staggering 52,202 stolen smartphones, with Madrid trailing in second place at 48,341.
Thankfully, the Met Police seems to be tightening the net. According to the BBC, there have been a string of recent raids, and it’s about time: as Met Commander Owain Richards put it, “We are seeing phone thefts on an industrial scale, fuelled by criminals making millions by being able to easily sell on stolen devices either here or abroad.”
My Experience and How to Avoid Having Your Phone Stolen
As you’ve probably gathered from the title, I ended up in the crosshairs of these professional phone thieves too.
I was walking through Shoreditch one evening, in the middle of East London, packed with people and hardly what you’d call sketchy.
Out of nowhere, a guy on an e‑bike swooped up from behind and tried to grab my phone out of my hand while I was mid‑conversation.
Luckily, I already knew what could happen in London, so I was holding my phone tightly, and he came up empty‑handed, but it was still quite scary.
Some people say you should clip your phone to your wrist or jacket. I personally wouldn’t. If the thief yanks hard, you could end up on the ground, hurt and still phoneless.
My tip: only pull out your phone when you really need it and keep an eye on who’s around. These riders appear out of nowhere, and you often don’t spot them until it’s too late. If you need to talk, stop, lean against a wall, and then call.
One more thing. When you visit London (or anywhere else in the world), pack a spare phone, ideally with a second SIM. If the worst happens, you won’t be stranded without one.
That’s it. Remember to enjoy your travels, but never drop your guard!
