An American tourist has issued a stark warning to visitors after a traumatic robbery incident at Leicester Square's Christmas Market in London left her without her phone and a precious necklace.
A Family Outing Turns Sour
Kelly, an experienced traveller, was enjoying what should have been a festive family day with her husband and children on Saturday, November 8. The anticipation of a "great day" at the popular Christmas market, however, quickly evaporated by the evening.
As the family decided to leave around 7pm and walk towards Chinatown, Kelly's pace slowed due to a sore knee. It was then that she experienced a sudden "shoulder-charge" from a stranger. Following a sharp yank to her neck, she locked eyes with a man who immediately fled the scene.
The Discovery and Frustrating Chase
Initially unaware of the theft, Kelly continued walking with her husband. Several minutes later, she reached for her phone to check for calls and discovered it was missing. Her son quickly used the Find My iPhone app, which showed the device pinging from a casino in Chinatown.
The family rushed to the location, where casino staff refused them entry. Kelly was directed to find a "red coat" for assistance. While searching, she made a chilling discovery - the man who had bumped into her was leaning against a wall nearby.
Her husband, who had entered the casino despite warnings, found that Kelly's phone had been switched off. When they confronted the suspect, now joined by another man, they were met with denials and claims of being tourists.
The Full Extent of the Loss and Police Response
Fearing for their safety amid recent London stabbing incidents, Kelly persuaded her husband to abandon the confrontation. The emotional impact hit hard as she worried about lost photos and compromised banking information.
The situation worsened when Kelly later discovered her necklace was also missing during the incident. The sentimental birthday gift from her husband held particular significance as the family "don't have a ton of money."
Their visit to the police station revealed they weren't alone - several other women were reporting similar crimes. Officers directed them to file a report via QR code rather than taking immediate action. By noon the following day, they received an email stating their case was closed with no further action possible.
Lessons Learned from a Harrowing Experience
Kelly shared several key takeaways from her ordeal. She vowed never to return to Leicester Square and plans to use a cross-body bum bag worn inside her coat for future security.
She expressed concern that authorities are aware of the problem, citing information about an average of 37 similar cases recorded daily in Leicester Square. The casino's refusal to assist also raised suspicions about established patterns of criminal activity in the area.
Her story serves as a sobering reminder for all visitors to remain vigilant in crowded tourist areas, especially during the busy festive season.
