Theft on the street including Phone theft is very common in London and criminals like ‘easy targets’ – children and young people often fall into this category.
Steps to take when you child starts travelling independently – Advice for Families
-Plan new journeys to school and clubs and trial the journeys with your child
-Aim to use busy, well-lit routes, with CCTV while also avoiding shortcuts in isolated places
-Avoid expensive phones, bicycles and items of clothing
-Consider a basic brick phone or GPS tracker in first years of secondary
-Don’t carry travel cards and bank cards in phone covers.
*Important if your child does have a smart phone – Make sure the security features are activated and linked to a parents or carer device such as “Family Share” Security makes the devices much less appealing to criminals – don’t make it easy for them. DownTime, Screentime and Find My Phone tools sit within these and are important device management for young people and families.
Guides here https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/
Further info from the Met Police Inc. individual phone IMEI numbers and logging on Immobilise.com
https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/personal-safety-how-to-stay-safe/mobile-phone-advice/
When Travelling Out and About – Safety Advice for Children & Young People
-Travel in groups if possible. If solo, hang back for other members of the public in quiet streets
-Look up and look out – be aware of your surroundings and be mindful if strangers ask a question
-Have mobile devices out of sight when walking on streets
– Bus stops, train stations and surrounding areas are common target areas for thieves, who can approach on foot, moped or on a pedal bike or e-scooter.
-Earphones can distract , stopping seeing or hearing someone approach from behind.
-When needing to use a phone be discreet and stand away from the roadside, near a wall or even in a shop, so no one can come up behind you
– Whether you have a phone or not, memorise or keep a parent/carer’s phone number in your bag
What to do if you are a victim of theft on the streets – Advice for Children & Young People
-Keep calm and hand over any item asked for and do not argue. If the phone is snatched do not attempt to chase or confront the thief.
-If the thieves take your phone and check the settings for security and ask for the family security pin explain calmly that you do not have family security information.
-if on public transport try to remember bus number or carriage number of the train you were in (overground or underground), it makes accessing possible cctv easier.
-Robbery or attempted robbery are serious crimes and should be reported. It’s important you seek help straight away by dialling 999 rather than contacting police when you get home.
-Use a friend’s phone or phone of a trusted adult – e.g. in a nearby shop, restaurant or tube station.
This gives the best chance to catch the suspects, recover any stolen property and ensure your safety.
After you have contacted the police, contact your parents or carers.
If you have information about a robbery and do not want to report it to police, speak to Fearless 100% anonymously at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless Fearless is the youth service of independent charity Crimestoppers.
Katy Potts, Islington
Islington Computing 