1. The 'Be Safe’ Mobile Phone Theft Toolkit
Sept 2018

2. Contents Introduction How you can help Resources: Long & Short Copy
Resources: Advice on phone snatches
Resources: Physical assets
Resources: Digital assets
Resources: Social media assets
It’s in your hands

3. Introduction
If you are often on your phone as you walk outside, you could be the victim of thieves on mopeds. These criminals use mopeds and bicycles to snatch phones, watches and other valuables, often mounting the pavement to ride up behind their victims. 
They target busy streets, tube and train stations and are opportunistic – they look for those busy using their phones and oblivious to their presence.  Although the number of incidents are decreasing, nearly 4,000 phones have been stolen in London since January. A large portion of these crimes are linked with scooter theft; scooters are being stolen and increasingly used to commit other crimes, mainly phone snatches.
Police are disrupting and arresting criminals, and working with partners to look at how to better help Londoners reduce their vulnerability to these crimes, but we want to empower people to take measures to protect their property too.
By raising awareness of the risk and steps you can take to reduce that risk, together we can get the message out to as many people as possible.
Thank you.

4. How you can help
Your support in spreading the word is very important to us, so we’ve created a range of resources to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved.
Use our resources to:
Share information via your website, newsletter or comms.
Ensure your employees are aware of the campaign messages and can help share advice.
Please join our coalition of partners to help spread the message far and wide by sharing the resources in this toolkit across your channels.

5. Resources: Short Copy Suggested copy
This copy is for you to use across your channels when talking to customers about phone theft. For example, the copy can be included in newsletters, s or your website. Feel free to edit it with your own tone of voice.
Suggested copy
Criminals use scooters and bikes to snatch phones and valuables, often riding up behind their victims and mounting the pavement. They target busy streets, tube and train stations. Police are doing all they can to arrest and deter these thieves by conducting daily operations. But did you know that you could help to protect your phone and valuables too by following these simple steps:
Be aware of your surroundings. If you need to use your phone when you’re out and about go hands free and use it away from the roadside, ideally near a wall so that it’s harder for thieves to snatch it from you
Look up, look out
Protect your phone by activating its security features
Remember, never confront a thief or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile device/valuables. For more security advice visit
Look up, look out.
NOTE: If you have space for longer copy, please include more detailed advice from the following page.

6. Resources: Long copy Suggested copy
This copy is for you to use across your channels when talking to customers about phone theft. For example, the copy can be included in newsletters, s or your website. Feel free to edit it with your own tone of voice.
Suggested copy
Criminals use scooters and bicycles to snatch phones and valuables. They target busy streets, tube and train stations, often riding up behind their victims and mounting the pavement. Police are carrying out daily operations to arrest and deter these offenders.
The Met uses a range of operational tactics to target and pursue thieves on mopeds. These include pursuing thieves on newer, faster bikes, using tyre deflation devices to stop offenders in their tracks and using DNA spray to tag thieves. This spray creates a forensic trail which helps secure convictions. The Met also has a dedicated team of officers who work to link and investigate these crimes and can identify suspects, even if they are wearing helmets and face coverings.
The police are doing all they can to arrest those responsible, but did you know that you can help to protect your phones and valuables by following a few simple steps:
Look up and look out - be aware of your surroundings
Don’t text while walking as you’ll be distracted
Go hands free or stand away from the roadside, near a wall, so no one can come up behind you
Be discreet
Don’t openly display high value jewellery
Keep handbags fastened and close to you
Protect your phone
Make sure the security features on your phone are activated
If you can, install an anti-theft app
Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06#. Keep a written note of it and report it to the police if the phone is stolen
Register your phone on and the police may be able to recover it
Remember, never confront a thief or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile device/valuables.

7. Resources: Advice on phone snatches
The following tips can be used in conjunction with the suggested copy to advise your audience on how they can prevent phone snatch theft. Never confront a thief or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile device.
Reducing your risk 1
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep your personal property secure. Don't text while you're walking you won't notice potential thieves approaching. 2
Keep away from roadsides if your mobile is in hand. 3
Try going hands free or stand away from the roadside close to a wall so no one can come up behind you. 4
Use the security features on your phone. 5
Your phone comes with a range of security features, such as keypad locks and remote data wiping. Make sure they are all activated to stop thieves from accessing your phone and personal data. 6
Register your phone on to help police return recovered stolen property and combat the sale of stolen goods. Police recover more than 2500 items registered to the website on average every month. 7
Know how to identify your phone if it's stolen. Find your IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it. If the phone is stolen, report it to the police and your mobile provider to stop it being used.
How to protect your phone

8. Resources: Physical assets
Physical assets can be ordered to be put up around an office, handed out to customers, or displayed at events. The following are available:
A4 posters
A5 leaflets

9. Digital MPU, skyscraper and leaderboard banners for your website
Resources: Digital assets
The following digital assets can be used to make your audience aware of mobile snatch theft via scooter. Use these on your website or intranet, or in s to your staff or customers:
Digital MPU, skyscraper and leaderboard banners for your website
signature

10. Resources: Social media assets
One of the easiest ways to spread the word about the campaign is through your social media channels. The following images give tips on how people can prevent snatch thefts, and are available for use in any of your social channels:

11. It’s in your hands
We really need the help of organisations like yourself to raise awareness of this issue. T
Together we can spread the message far and wide.
All the assets found in this presentation can be downloaded from: met/campaigns/be-safe-campaign/be-safe-mobile-phone-theft/
If you have any further queries about this campaign, please contact
Thank you for your support.

12. Thank you