Street thefts hit record high - how to protect your laptop and phone from bag snatchers
There were 151,220 incidents of 'theft from a person' between April 2024 and March 2025, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), up 15% year on year.
This follows a 17% rise the year before.
While overall records of theft have come down in the last decade, the Office for National Statistics said there has been a "sharp rise" in theft from a person as well as shoplifting since the Covid pandemic, in its July 2025 report.
Theft from a person is defined as taking property without the victim's consent, but without violence or threat of force (which is classed as robbery).
It broadly covers:
- Snatch theft: where there is a minor element of force involved but just enough to snatch the property away - such as taking a bag from a shoulder.
- Stealth theft: where no force is used and the victim is unaware of the incident - for example pickpocketing.
Laptop and phone thefts - who's most at risk?
Almost a third of UK adults (29%) reported having their phone stolen, according to a survey reported in the Financial Times earlier this year.
This is up sharply from 17% in 2023.
Urban areas and public transport are particularly high-risk, and young people are often targeted due to frequent device usage, the survey by UK fintech start-up, Nuke From Orbit, said.
While there is no specific recent data, research by the Home Office in 2013 found students and young women out at night were particularly vulnerable.
Back then, two thirds of offences occurred during the day, mainly taking place mid-afternoon during the week.
At the weekend, thieves operate during the nighttime economy when they take advantage of people on their own, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol.
Late night public transport is also a hotspot for theft from a person.
Insurance for laptop and phone thefts
Many contents insurance policies cover personal items, including laptops, phones, and gadgets, when lost or stolen while outside the home.
Sometimes contents insurance even covers these items when they're taken abroad, although if you frequently travel overseas you may want a content policy that offers worldwide coverage, in case your policy limits time abroad.
You'll want to look for 'away from home' cover or 'personal possessions' cover which typically protects against theft of these devices but not damage to them.
Many insurers cap the payout for any one item - often around £1,000–£2,000. If your laptop or phone costs more than that, you’ll need to list it separately as a specified item. Some also have an overall cap on claims, such as £5,000 per year, so make sure it's high enough to cover everything you regularly carry.
Most insurers won’t pay out if the device was unattended in public (eg. left on a café table) or stolen from an unlocked car, so it’s worth checking the small print about what counts as reasonable care.
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If you're abroad when your laptop or mobile phone is stolen, you may be able to claim on your travel insurance.
If mobile phones and laptops are covered by your travel insurance then the protection is either via the 'valuables' section of personal belongings/baggage or specific 'gadget' cover (which should include mobile phones).
Some plans specifically exclude mobile phones and you may need to add on optional gadget cover.
Gadget cover may be best for you depending on your policy, as these can increase cover costs significantly, often up to £1,000-£3,000 per item, compared to some basic policies which offer as little as £100 per item.
Gadget cover also typically covers accidental damage and unauthorised use.
Mobile phone insurance
Mobile phone insurance is available via telecom providers, retailers, or standalone plans. Coverage generally includes theft, accidental damage (like cracked screens or water damage), mechanical faults, unauthorised usage, and sometimes accessories or overseas protection.
Exclusions typically include if you leave your device unattended (eg. on a café table), fail to report theft quickly (within 12–24 hours), or are deemed careless. Excesses usually start at £25 or more.
Other insurance that can cover laptops and phones
Paid-for bank accounts (e.g., Nationwide FlexPlus, Virgin Money Club M) often include mobile/gadget and travel insurance as part of their perks. Virgin Money’s Club M, for instance, offers worldwide gadget cover with up to £2,000 per device, alongside travel and breakdown benefits, for a monthly fee of about £12.50.
Personal possessions insurance (often an add‑on to home insurance) provides cover for items taken out of the home, offering flexible protection against theft or loss.
Student-specific insurance frequently bundles gadgets, laptops, and phones into broader policies aimed at safeguarding belongings both at home and in student housing.
How to protect your laptops and mobile phones from thieves
Be alert in public places
Government research shows most thefts happen in crowded or distracted environments, such as public transport, shopping streets and night-time venues. Keep bags zipped and held close to your body, avoid putting phones in back pockets, and don’t leave laptops unattended in cafes, libraries or trains.
Reduce the appeal of your devices
Thieves tend to go after easy, high-value wins. Carry laptops in a nondescript backpack rather than branded tech cases, and use a plain phone cover instead of a flashy one. If you’re working in public, position yourself so your screen and bag are visible.
- Keep your phone in a zipped front pocket
- Carry laptops in plain, non‑branded bags
- Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts
- Photograph serial numbers and receipts at purchase
- Use Bluetooth or Find‑My tools before it's too late
Use built-in security features
Both Android and Apple devices offer ‘Find My’ tracking tools, remote data wipe, and lock-screen security. Cyber security experts say to activate these before you need them.
For laptops, services like Apple’s Find My Mac or Microsoft’s Find My Device can help trace stolen machines.
Ensuring your hard drive is encrypted and automatic backups are switched on means thieves can’t easily access your files.
Keep insurance and records in place
Note down your device serial numbers and keep proof of purchase. This can help the police track stolen goods and is usually required for insurance claims.
If your phone or laptop is covered by contents insurance or specialist gadget insurance, make sure you know your excess and cover limits.
Act fast if the worst happens
If your device is stolen, lock it remotely, change your passwords, and contact your bank if financial apps are stored on it.
Report thefts to the police via 101 (or 999 if in progress). For phones, notify your network provider quickly to prevent criminals racking up large bills on your account.
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