The map shows London’s 10 worst pickpocketing hotspots; Is your area at risk? | UK News

Londoners While there has been a 700% increase in pickpocketing in some parts of the capital, citizens are being warned to be extra careful.

Between March 2023 and 2024, the Metropolitan Police received more than 79,000 reports of pickpockets.

Around 28,155 people were reported in Westminster and one in seven people in the area had something – mostly mobile phones – was stolen from them.

This represents a 712% increase in the area compared to three years ago and is the highest theft rate in the capital.

The second highest district, Camden, has 6,848 thefts and a population of 218,000, corresponding to a pickpocket rate of 31.41 per 1,000 people.

Southwark was the third highest; 5,935 people reported pickpocketing, making the theft rate 19.03 per 1,000 people.

Other areas are also seeing big increases in reported incidents, including Kensington and Chelsea, which saw a 426% increase on three years ago.

There was also an increase of 280 percent in Lambeth, 266 percent in the City of London and 245 percent in Greenwich.

Get Licensed, using data from the Office for National Statistics, found that 32 London boroughs accounted for 70% of the total incidents reported in the UK.

Get Licensed CEO and security expert Shahzad Ali said: ‘The rise in pickpocketing across London, where 70% of thefts from personal events in the UK occur, is worrying.

‘Westminster is the worst area for pickpockets and there has been a more than 700% increase in reports in the last three years; Most of the incidents in the city are thought to be phone thefts.

‘This trend not only affects the sense of security, but also has a detrimental effect on the city’s reputation and economy.’

He warned Londoners to be very careful and use crossbody bags to prevent thieves from snatching bags from their shoulders.

“If you’re carrying more like a backpack, keep important items like your wallet, phone and keys in a smaller crossbody bag so you can keep them closer to you,” she said.

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