Stay safe from street theft and robbery

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is cracking down on phone and designer item theft and sharing tips on how to stay safe.  

A council spokesperson said: “We want to improve the quality of life and health of our residents. No one should have to worry about being the victim of crime. Unfortunately, valuable theft is on the rise, but we are supporting the Police who are working to locate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators across the borough.  

"Prevention is always better than cure though. There are things we can all do to protect ourselves and families by keeping valuables out of sight, or leaving them at home, and staying alert to what's going on around us.”

Protect your valuables 

• Some criminals use bikes, mopeds or e-scooters to take your valuables, so remember to always look up, look out and keep your mobile phones in a safe place.  
• Earbuds and headphones can be a distraction, so if you’re using them try to keep them on a low volume. 
• Don’t confront a thief – holding on to your possessions is not worth risking your safety. 
• There has been a rise in designer coats and jackets being stolen, especially the brands Trapstar, Moncler or Canada Goose, so if you’re wearing designer labels, be mindful when you’re out. 
• Register your valuables at immobilise.com, this improves your chances of getting them back if they are stolen. 
• Consider turning on the GPS on your phone and pair with a trusted person’s device, this can be helpful to officers when attempting to locate stolen phones.

Bike theft prevention 

• Double lock your bike and park it securely. Use two locks to slow thieves down and make your bike less of a target. Lock the frame and connect your wheels to a secure cycle stand or recognised cycle parking - this should be well lit and covered by CCTV. 
• Take removable parts of a bike with you such as wheels, lights or the saddle to deter thieves. 
• Protect your bike from theft by getting it security marked. Find out how to do this at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/securedbydesign.  
• Register your bike frame number on a national bike registration database approved by Secured by Design so if your bike is ever stolen, it can be traced back to you.

Parcel theft prevention 

• If you’re having parcels delivered and won’t be in, make sure you redirect them to a local shop, a parcel locker or trusted neighbour. Do not leave a visible note for couriers with instructions for where to leave your parcels.  
• Dispose of packaging from expensive items discreetly – break down large cardboard boxes and put them in your blue top bin. 

If you are caught committing theft or robbery, you could face a long time in prison. For armed robbery (this includes with knives), the maximum prison sentence is life. 

A conviction for robbery or theft will have lifelong consequences – you may not be able to work for certain employers, travel, have access to education and housing, and it may affect your child custody and adoption rights.  

If you see a robbery or one has just taken place, call the police on 999. 

If you have any information about a street robbery which has happened in the past, you can tell the police what you know anonymously at Fearless.org. 

Read crime prevention advice from the Met Police. 

Read more about the recent work the Council and local police have been doing to prevent thefts and catch perpetrators at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/mobile-phone-theft.