With mobile phone theft on the rise across the UK, we asked people to share their experiences. More than 31,000 respondents took part in our survey, revealing important insights about where, when and how thefts occur.

Of those who had their phone stolen, 14% experienced the theft within the last year, while 57% had their phone taken more than five years ago.

Where and when thefts happen

Phone thefts occur across a wide range of locations. According to our survey:

  • 19% of thefts happened on the street
  • 14% occurred on public transport or at transport hubs
  • 12% took place in or outside shops
  • 10% happened in restaurants or cafés
  • 7% were taken from people's homes
  • 6% occurred at work

Other common locations included pubs, festivals, from cars, and while on holiday.

In terms of timing, morning and night saw the fewest incidents (16% and 15% respectively), with the majority, 65%, happening in the afternoon or evening.

How phones are taken

Nearly a quarter of stolen phones were pickpocketed without the owner noticing at the time, while 22% had been left unattended.

Although snatch thefts have been making headlines, our survey found that 14% of phones were grabbed from the owner's hand, and a further 14% were grabbed from a pocket or bag.

Interestingly, only 44% of victims were alone when targeted. Some 35% were with friends or family at the time, and 18% were in crowded areas surrounded by strangers.

Actions people took

Following the theft, 55% of people took action to protect their phone and data within half an hour, with a further 22% acting within two hours.

When it came to providing their IMEI number (the unique identifier needed to block a stolen phone):

  • 14% already knew their IMEI number
  • 12% had to find it in their phone documentation
  • 34% had to locate it another way
  • 29% didn't know their IMEI number
  • 12% didn't know what an IMEI number is

An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique 15-digit code that identifies your phone. You can find it by dialling *#06# on your device, or by checking your phone's original packaging. Find out more on our site. 

Impact on victims

The physical impact was relatively limited, with 92% of victims reporting they were unharmed and 6% slightly injured. Only a very small proportion suffered more serious injuries.

However, the emotional impact was significant. Victims reported feeling primarily anger, shock, and a sense of violation. Many respondents told us they had changed their behaviour as a result of the theft, with some blaming themselves for not taking greater care.

Prevention advice

Based on their experiences, victims shared their top advice for preventing phone theft:

  • Keep aware of your surroundings
  • Keep phones in a secure pocket
  • Avoid using your phone on busy streets
  • Always use screen locks

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and views with us. We'll be using this information to improve our mobile phone resources. If you'd like advice on what you can do to protect your data and phone, or what to do in the event that your phone is stolen, check out our mobile phone theft pages.