Culture

London faces alarming rise in phone thefts, celebrities among victims highlighting increase in violent and opportunistic crimes

Thursday, 13 November 2025 5:04AM UTC

A surge in phone snatching incidents across London has seen high-profile victims, including celebrities, sharing their harrowing experiences, amid a 28% rise in such crimes over the past year.

London is grappling with a troubling surge in phone snatching incidents, with numerous high-profile victims highlighting the scale and seriousness of the issue. Television presenter Alexa Chung recently disclosed that she narrowly avoided having her mobile phone stolen during an encounter in the East End of London. Chung, who was deeply engaged in a group chat at the time, described her defiant reaction as she clung tightly to her phone to prevent the thief from snatching it. Her experience is part of a wider wave of similar crimes affecting a broad range of people across the capital.

The growing problem of phone thefts in London is underscored by statistics showing a 28% increase over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes. This rise in thefts is particularly evident in areas such as King's Cross, where 'Theft from the person' has become one of the most commonly reported crimes, according to Metropolitan Police crime maps and statistics. The issue has drawn attention not just from ordinary citizens but from celebrities as well.

Former tennis star Annabel Croft was mugged in broad daylight outside King's Cross station when a masked cyclist snatched her phone while she waited for a taxi. Despite the shock of the incident, Croft managed to retrieve her phone after the thief dropped it, aided by a helpful bystander. Similarly, former 'It-girl' Lady Victoria Hervey recounted how an electric bike rider swiped her phone in Pimlico, describing the experience as 'such a shock.'

The crime is not limited to brief snatch-and-run scenarios; some encounters have been violent. Actress Rosamund Pike was punched in the face in a frightening assault when her phone was forcibly taken by a young cyclist. Pike highlighted the emotional toll the episode took on her family, calling it 'probably a pretty horrible 15 minutes' especially for her mother.

The surge in phone thefts has affected individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Actress Susan Hampshire, aged 87 and known for her role in "Monarch of the Glen," has also been a victim, having her phone stolen while travelling on the London Underground. This wide range of victims illustrates the pervasive and indiscriminate nature of the crime wave.

London’s rising phone theft problem contributes to concerns about public safety and law enforcement in the city. The increase in such incidents has sparked calls for more effective policing and preventative measures in vulnerable locations. While some victims like Chung have managed to resist theft, others like Pike and Hervey have suffered both physical and psychological consequences. The spike in crimes has become a topic of public conversation, reflecting broader anxieties over safety in the capital under the current administration.

This escalating trend presents challenges for city authorities aiming to curb opportunistic and violent thefts while restoring confidence among residents and visitors alike. The experiences shared by celebrities and everyday people alike underline the urgent need for action to address this growing threat to personal safety in London.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] Daily Mail - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
^[2] The Independent - Paragraphs 4, 6
^[3] Evening Standard - Paragraph 4
^[4] LBC - Paragraph 4
^[5] Hello! Magazine - Paragraph 7
^[6] Metropolitan Police Crime Map - Paragraph 5
^[7] Metropolitan Police Crime Statistics - Paragraph 5

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15285441/Alexa-Chung-phone-snatcher-London-RICHARD-EDENS-DIARY.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/annabel-croft-london-mugged-phone-b2560569.html - Former tennis player Annabel Croft, 57, was mugged in broad daylight outside King's Cross station in London. A masked man on a bicycle snatched her phone from her hands as she waited for a taxi. The thief fled, but Croft managed to retrieve her phone after he dropped it. She expressed shock and gratitude towards a bystander who assisted her. This incident highlights the rising trend of phone thefts in London, with a 28% increase over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes.
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/strictly-come-dancing-annabel-croft-phone-mugged-london-b1163673.html - Annabel Croft, 57, was mugged for her phone in broad daylight outside King's Cross station in London. The thief, wearing a black balaclava and riding a bicycle, snatched her phone as she awaited a taxi. Croft managed to retrieve her phone after the thief dropped it. She thanked a bystander who witnessed the incident and came to her aid. This incident underscores the increasing prevalence of phone thefts in London, with a 28% rise over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes.
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/strictly-star-has-phone-snatched-by-masked-biker-in-london-5HjcmSw_2/ - Annabel Croft, 57, was mugged in broad daylight outside King's Cross station in London. A masked man on a bicycle snatched her phone from her hands as she waited for a taxi. The thief fled, but Croft managed to retrieve her phone after he dropped it. She expressed shock and gratitude towards a bystander who assisted her. This incident highlights the rising trend of phone thefts in London, with a 28% increase over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes.
https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/834020/rosamund-pike-falls-victime-terrifying-crime-london/ - Actress Rosamund Pike, 45, was punched in the face during a phone snatching incident in London. A young man on a bicycle approached her, punched her on the cheek, and stole her phone. Pike described the experience as 'probably a pretty horrible 15 minutes' for her mother. This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of phone thefts in London, with a 28% rise over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes.
https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/camden/kings-cross/on-the-team/crime-map - The Metropolitan Police's crime map for King's Cross, London, indicates that 'Theft from the person' is one of the most commonly reported crimes in the area. This aligns with the rising trend of phone thefts in London, with a 28% increase over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes.
https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/camden/kings-cross/contact-us/top-reported-crimes-in-this-area - The Metropolitan Police's crime statistics for King's Cross, London, show that 'Theft from the person' is one of the most commonly reported crimes in the area. This aligns with the rising trend of phone thefts in London, with a 28% increase over a 12-month period, equating to a phone being stolen every four minutes.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative presents recent incidents of phone thefts in London, including Alexa Chung's experience. However, similar reports have appeared in the past, such as a crackdown on phone snatching in February 2025. ([thenationalnews.com](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025/02/06/police-seize-1000-stolen-phones-in-london-crackdown-on-tourist-hotspot-crime/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score, but the recycled nature of the content warrants a flag. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/07/london-police-crackdown-on-phone-snatching-sees-230-arrests-in-one-week/?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, the report includes a reference map with links to other sources, indicating potential recycling of content. ([independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/phone-thefts-snatching-london-b2840519.html?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 6

Notes: Direct quotes from Alexa Chung and other individuals are included. However, similar quotes have appeared in earlier material, such as Annabel Croft's account of being mugged in London. ([laois-nationalist.ie](https://www.laois-nationalist.ie/whatson/entertainment/annabel-croft-traumatised-after-mugging-by-phone-thief_arid-20648.html?utm_source=openai)) The presence of identical quotes in earlier material suggests potential reuse of content.

Source reliability

Score: 5

Notes: The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable organisation. However, the inclusion of a reference map with links to other sources, including The Independent and LBC, indicates potential recycling of content. ([independent.co.uk](https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/phone-thefts-snatching-london-b2840519.html?utm_source=openai)) The presence of multiple sources may enhance reliability, but the recycled nature of the content warrants a flag.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents plausible accounts of phone thefts in London, including Alexa Chung's experience. However, similar reports have appeared in the past, such as a crackdown on phone snatching in February 2025. ([thenationalnews.com](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025/02/06/police-seize-1000-stolen-phones-in-london-crackdown-on-tourist-hotspot-crime/?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher plausibility score, but the recycled nature of the content warrants a flag.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents recycled content, including similar reports and quotes from earlier material, indicating a lack of originality. The inclusion of updated data does not sufficiently mitigate the recycled nature of the content. Therefore, the overall assessment is a fail with high confidence.

London crime
Phone theft
Public safety