Who doesn't consider their phone to be one of their most precious items? From cute pet photos to all the admin apps that make life so much easier, many would be lost without their cell phone at hand. That's why the growing crime wave of phone thefts sweeping the UK is a huge concern.
Clients seeking advice from Kirsty Henderson, founder and owner of security company Personal Safety London (PSL), have either suffered the ordeal of having a smartphone stolen or are keen to prevent this nightmare from becoming reality.
And given that there were more than 78,000 police-reported phone thefts in England and Wales in the year to March 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics – the highest number in more than two decades – learn how to protect yourself Better than this eventuality is a very wise attitude anyway.
Some criminals hope to steal your data, others are after the hardware in newer phones – “they erase the content and sell it,” says Kirsty.
Kirsty Henderson, founder and owner of security company Personal Safety London, advises mobile users to keep their phones out in public – and not in a bag that can be grabbed
As alarming as this is, she adds, there's no point in getting scared, because then you won't be able to think straight. It is much more useful to adopt simple practical strategies to minimize risks.
This may require giving up comfortable habits (no headphones while running and no browsing social media on the train). If it's any consolation, the PSL's security experts practice what they preach. 'None of our team uses headphones. And we don’t use our phones on the street – at all,” says Kirsty.
Here, she explains how you can keep your smartphone safe – and save yourself a lot of grief.
RETHINK YOUR MOVEMENT
Most people who get to work via public transport use their commute time to read the news or listen to music on their phone. And on the return trip, they will use it again – as a digital air gap, a form of decompression.
In this sense, it is psychologically useful. But while most people consider travel time an opportunity to relax, it's when you're most at risk of having your phone stolen.
This does not mean spending the entire trip in a state of fear and tension – which is unnecessary and debilitating. Aim for a relaxed state of alertness. Put away your technology and find something else to do that entertains you. Call me old-fashioned, I love reading a paperback.
IF YOU REALLY NEED TO TAKE OUT YOUR PHONE, GO INTO A CAFE OR STORE
There were more than 78,000 phone thefts in England and Wales in the year to March 2024 – the highest number in more than two decades, according to the Office for National Statistics
If you need to use your phone in public, go to a “safe space” first. It could be a cafe, hotel lobby or store. Although remain aware of those around you. (Important note: Placing your phone on a coffee shop table is a no-no – it's easy for someone to walk up to you, distract you, and pinch your device. Not to mention, if you're with a companion, it's rude.)
In the meantime, I'm sorry to disappoint millions of passengers, but a train, bus or metro station is not a safe space. And if you have no other option than to put your phone on the street, at least make sure there is a wall or a car parked behind you. Do you have a clear view of someone nearby, whether on the sidewalk or in the road? Watch your perimeters, as we like to say. Is anyone nearby? Distance is your friend.
Check your surroundings before putting your £600+ technology out on the street. Stay in the same place now – don't wander dreamily.
DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE ON THE STREET
If you've worked and lived in your city for decades but can't direct a tourist from A to B, you're in the majority.
But this leaves you dependent on your phone while traveling – you rush to your destination holding your device like a magic wand, squinting at Google maps. And that makes you visible, and you vulnerable, to anyone with nefarious intentions. Plus, it's easily unlocked, giving criminals easy access to all your information. Use a little forethought.
Find out exactly where you're going and plan your route in advance. Learning to navigate without your phone is a skill – it requires recognizing landmarks – but anyone can learn it.
STOP USING HEADPHONES WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE
As tempting as it may be to indulge in your happy little world of '90s pop or that comedy podcast on your travels, wearing headphones increases the chance of being approached by someone interested in taking your phone. Simply put, you are an easier target because you don't realize what is going on around you. Or, as we say in the security business, your spatial and auditory awareness is reduced.
Is a headphone jack acceptable? Unfortunately not! It still impairs your natural ability to sense imminent danger. Therefore, on your commute, we strongly suggest that you do not use headphones. On your run, we also suggest not using headphones.
CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DEVICE
From a security perspective, our relationship with our phones is often reckless. Many of us use it as a crutch to alleviate social discomfort or boredom. There is often a psychological dependence – we find it extremely difficult to go five minutes without checking this. This makes us less observant, and anyone who wants to get a free phone can exploit this. Making calls while walking? Change this habit.
KEEP YOUR PHONE IN A DISCREET POCKET
Keep it in a non-obvious inside pocket, not in your bag – and certainly not in your hand. Many of us get out of the car holding our phone like a good luck charm. For best luck, keep it out of sight. In the back pocket of your jeans? Asking for trouble!
As for why we advise against keeping phones in bags – maybe I'm pessimistic, but I assume that a bag can be grabbed. We say: keep your phone (and your keys and your money) with you. The team uses pockets on the body – they are placed under clothing, under the arm or on the waist. Personally, I'm in favor of the underarm option – no one gets to that sensitive area without me noticing.
SIX THINGS YOU SHOULD DO NOW TO STOP THIEVES FROM GAINING ACCESS TO YOUR DATA – EVEN IF IT’S STOLEN
1. Enable biometric security features like fingerprint or facial recognition to prevent access if your phone is stolen. For iPhone users iOS 17.3 or later, turn on Stolen Device Protection. (Open the Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your device passcode, tap Stolen Device Protection, and turn on Stolen Device Protection.)
So some actions, like accessing stored passwords and credit cards, will require a single biometric authentication with Face ID or Touch ID – no password alternative. Note: To turn on Stolen Device Protection, you must use two-factor authentication for your Apple account and have Find My turned on.
2. Consider an anti-theft app – it typically allows you to track your phone's location in real time, remotely lock the device to prevent unauthorized access, and erase data to protect your personal information.
Find My iPhone (Apple) and Find My Device (Android) are built-in apps that offer location tracking, remote locking, and data wiping. Go to your phone's Settings app, tap your name, then tap Find My iPhone – it will say 'on' if it's on.
For Android phones, open the Settings app. Then tap Google, tap Find My Device, and make sure it's turned on. For it to work, your device must be signed in to a Google account.
3. Also using Find My, you can select your device to see its location on a map. If you think it's nearby, you can also use 'Play Sound' to locate it. You can also enable 'Share my location' with family. If you turn on Find My Network, you can locate your device (for example, from your Mac – tap Find My on Mac) even when you're offline.
4. Contact your mobile carrier to suspend service. O2, for example, says on its website that you must inform them within 24 hours, and they will lock your device and send you a new Sim with your existing number.
Network provider EE says to call them as soon as possible and once you report your device stolen, they may block it so no one else can use it on the network and suspend your account. They will also send you a new Sim card (pay for delivery or receive one for free from an EE store).
You can also log in to iCloud.com/find, select your device, and select Mark as Lost. In Lost Mode, your device is locked with a passcode and cards and payment passes used with Apple Pay are suspended. But Find My will need to be turned on before your phone can be stolen.
5. Go to another device, open for example Google Chrome and open your Google Account. In the 'Security' section, find 'Your Devices'. Select 'Manage devices'. Next to 'Account Access' select 'Sign Out'. Follow the onscreen instructions to remove access to your Google Account and connected apps on your device.
6. To wipe your phone remotely, open the 'Find My' app on your Mac. Click 'Devices', select the one you want to wipe and click on the map. Click 'erase this device'. Enter a phone number or message (to display on the screen) and click Delete. Then you will need to enter your Apple account password and click Erase again. To remotely erase a phone, you need to add it to Find My before it was stolen. From android.com/find, select the device and choose 'Erase Device' to delete all data.
- personalsafetylondonuk.com
