Passengers travelling on bus routes across North and East London are being urged to exercise heightened vigilance following a disturbing surge in mobile phone robberies. This wave of thefts, which has been ongoing for several weeks, appears to be strategically targeting specific Transport for London services, instilling fear and frustration among local communities.
Targeted Bus Routes and Alarming Tactics
Reports from residents, particularly those in the Stoke Newington and Hackney areas, indicate that a cluster of bus routes have become hotspots for these criminal activities. The affected services include the 73, 456, 141, 54, 243, 341, and 393, with the number 73 bus cited for a particularly high number of incidents.
The thieves are employing brazen methods, often preying on passengers seated near the doors. They snatch devices and make a swift exit as the doors close, leaving victims shocked and helpless. In one harrowing account, a pregnant woman had her phone stolen while seated on the 73 bus, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these attacks.
Community Concerns and Victim Experiences
Local Facebook groups have become forums for sharing warnings and experiences, with many expressing deep concern over the frequency of these thefts. The community impact extends beyond the immediate loss, as illustrated by an incident where a petrified victim was assisted by staff at Filly's chip shop on Albion Road.
Fulia, who runs the chippy, recounted to MyLondon: "The other day, one of my customers came in with a lady who was quite petrified. They explained how her phone got snatched. We tried to offer help but there was only so much we could do. It's bad that it is still going on. I've had customers come in say they've seen it happen themselves."
She added that victims often feel reporting to the police is futile due to perceived slow responses and low recovery chances, a sentiment echoed by others in the area.
A Rare Success Story Amid the Crisis
Jeanette Montroy, a 42-year-old Canadian resident of Stoke Newington, experienced the theft firsthand but managed to recover her phone through a combination of quick thinking and community assistance. She described the moment: "I was texting my partner on my phone and I noticed some teenagers on the bus. Next thing, he was in between the door and then lunged and snatched my phone."
After the thief fled, a bystander gave chase, leading to a series of fortunate events. Jeanette's partner used Find My iPhone to track the device to a nearby block of flats, where a resident found it hidden under a bike locker.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Jeanette said: "It's such a violating experience. I was disappointed not to get any follow-up from the police on the incident. They said the case was closed without even talking to me. I was just one of the lucky ones to be able to get my phone back."
Official Responses and Safety Measures
In response to the escalating situation, Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police have initiated targeted operations. A TfL spokesperson stated: "Thieves target busy places, including public transport networks, and we are working closely with the police to tackle this activity. This includes through targeted operations in hotspot locations with plain clothes police patrols."
They emphasised their commitment to crime prevention messaging and collaboration with authorities to maintain safety across London's bus network.
The Met Police confirmed awareness of local concerns and detailed their dedicated operation. A spokesperson explained: "We have launched a dedicated operation targeting thieves on a number of bus routes in parts of Hackney and Stoke Newington. The operation – which uses a number of tactics, including deploying plain-clothes officers – is already working. Last week, officers made three arrests for a range of offences."
They are also partnering with local councils and bus companies to monitor CCTV and urged victims to report incidents via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers, stressing that police action depends on reported crimes.
As these operations continue, passengers are advised to remain alert, secure their belongings, and report any suspicious behaviour to help deter further thefts and ensure safer travel for all.
