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Dear Resident, We hope you are enjoying bank holiday. The following incident occurred on Wednesday 20th August 2025 at approximately 19:50 whilst victim was travelling by foot along Cambridge Road to Charcoal grill takeaway shop when victim was attempting to place an order over their mobile phone, as victim was doing so an unidentified individual dressed all black swiftly passed victim on the footpath on a electric bike and snatched victims mobile phone.
Just wanted to highlight a few things that we are all probably guilty of. Most of us have mobile phones and don't always think about our surrounding when we answering the phone. There has been a increase in mobile phone thefts in London and some thefts have been carried out by people on electric bikes or mopeds.
riminals often use bikes and mopeds to snatch mobile phones from people, particularly at busy locations such as outside stations, shopping centers or concert venues. Often victims are approached from behind while talking or texting on phones. Criminals on mopeds or bicycles may mount the pavement to grab the phone or snatch it from the road. Sometimes when it’s a moped, a pillion passenger will snatch it.
Criminals operate during the day and night, so always look out for what’s going on around you. Follow these simple steps to help protect your phone.
Be aware of your surroundings
If you need to call or use your phone on the street, look out for anyone on a bike or a moped near you. Look up, look out
Make it quick so you don't become distracted, but would recommend making a call only in an emergency situation
Don't text while you're walking – you won't notice what's going on around you
If that's not possible, stand away from the roadside, close to a building or wall, so no one can come up behind you Going hands-free can prevent a thief from snatching your phone out of your hand Find a safe place to make a call like a cafe
Use security features on your phone
You must switch on your phone's security features to protect your phone
Use the keypad lock so that thieves cannot immediately access your phone, or use the biometric authentication if your phone has it (finger print or facial recognition)
Your phone may have other security features you can use – these could allow you to wipe data, lock your handset, or prevent a thief from restoring a phone to its factory settings from another internet device
Consider installing an anti-theft app. These can be an effective way of helping police trace your phone and identify the thief
Know how to identify your phone if it's stolen
Every phone has an IMEI number which helps police and insurance companies to identify it if it's stolen. UK network operators can also stop a stolen phone from working across their networks with its IMEI
Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it; if the phone is stolen, report the number to your mobile provider to stop it being used
Register your valuables on an accredited property database. Freeze your bank cards as soon as possible as they may be able to access your mobile banking.
https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/personal-safety-how-to-stay-safe/mobile-phone-advice/ Remember, never confront a thief or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile phone. REMEMBER YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE,YOU CAN ALWAYS REPLACE YOUR MOBILE PHONE! Kind Regards, Police Staff Wayne Griffith Norbiton, Coombe Vale, New Malden Village Cluster Safer Neighbourhood Team 
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