An American travel influencer and self-described liberal, Aris Goldberg, recently revealed a striking shift in his political stance after experiencing the palpable rise in crime during a trip to London. Known for his presence on TikTok, Goldberg shared a candid account of a conversation with a British man on the London Underground that surprised him. The man expressed a desire for former President Donald Trump to be in charge, citing frustration with the escalating crime rates in the capital. This exchange, coupled with repeated warnings from locals to be vigilant against phone thefts and daylight robberies, led Goldberg to reconsider his previously staunch opposition to Trump and crime policies associated with the former president.
Goldberg, who voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the recent US elections, described how his experience in London made him empathize with calls for tougher crime enforcement. "Crime is out of control here," he stated in a video diary, recounting advice he received to avoid displaying valuables such as phones or watches on the streets. He remarked that the deterioration in safety was impacting quality of life, pushing out law-abiding citizens and attracting criminal elements. His reflections concluded with a call for strict legal accountability: "We're either going to have laws or we're not. Break the law, go to jail."
The scenario Goldberg describes aligns with alarming statistics in London where mobile phone theft has become a pronounced problem. In 2024 alone, the city saw a record 116,655 phone thefts, averaging approximately 13 incidents per hour. However, only a fraction of these crimes result in suspects being charged—just 169 across the year—casting doubt on the current effectiveness of law enforcement and judicial responses. This low charge rate has prompted criticism and calls for more decisive action to close the gap between reported thefts and actual prosecutions.
The issue is not confined to statistics but permeates daily life, as city officials acknowledge. In 2022, almost 70% of all thefts in London were related to mobile phones, with more than a third of personal robberies involving stolen phones. Mayor Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley have publicly urged the mobile phone industry to collaborate on technical solutions to make stolen devices less valuable and reduce the incentive for thieves. Acknowledging the challenges in policing these crimes, they advocate a combined effort between technology providers and law enforcement to curb the growing problem.
Further emphasising the severity, a 2022 report noted that only 2% of stolen phones were ever recovered. To enhance public awareness, an interactive map has been produced highlighting London’s hottest spots for phone theft, including central boroughs such as Westminster, Lambeth, and Southwark. This tool serves to inform residents and visitors alike so they can exercise increased caution in these areas.
Police describe the thieves as highly skilled cyclists often using illegally modified e-bikes to swoop down on targets swiftly. They wear special gloves that aid in grabbing phones quickly while on the move, underscoring the organised and professional nature of the crime wave. Mayor Khan has pledged a crackdown on what he describes as an epidemic of mobile phone theft, pledging greater enforcement to bring order back to London's streets.
Goldberg’s unexpected shift in political alignment reflects a broader anxiety about urban safety and governance. While many British citizens may have reservations about Trump’s wider policies, the appeal of a leader promising uncompromising enforcement and accountability resonates amidst surging crime rates. His experience highlights how immediate concerns such as personal safety can transcend traditional political divides, reshaping opinions in real time.
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Source: Noah Wire Services