‘Mind the grab’: Oxford Street Currys paints phone theft warnings onto street
Britain’s largest electrical retailer warned the Londons to stay away from the edge of the sidewalks due to the increase in “telephone tear”.
Currys painted purple lines along Oxford Street to remind those shoppers to move away from the sidewalk and keep their mobile phones secret to öz attention to the grap ”.
The movement, which is modeled on the yellow lines of the tube “Mind The Gap”, is part of a campaign by the retailer, police and Westminster Council to help stop the theft of telephone theft.
According to the data put forward by the demands of freedom of knowledge, one phone was stolen every 15 minutes or 94 a day last year.
These thefts are increasingly grabing criminals on mopeds or e-bikes directly on intense sidewalks from people’s hands.
Currys Chief Trade Officer Ed Connolly said: “Telephone theft is not just about losing a device – frightening, invaders and people from their loved ones, money and daily lives.
“Enough enough. It is time to draw the line on telephone theft – so we started the ‘Mind The Grap’ campaign: a bold sidewalk marking that we believe can make a real difference by encouraging people to step back from the sidewalk.”
A FOI request to the metropolitan police was stolen about 34,203 mobile phones in Westminster in 2024. And 77 percent of the British people see their “telephone break” as an important problem in England.
Research by Currys increased to 88 percent in big cities such as London, where this issue is more common.
The Westminster Council allowed the study to be tried in one of the most busy streets of the capital, and Charity Crimestoppers supported the plan.
“This campaign is a great example of how we work with partners to encourage simple measures to encourage simple measures to raise awareness about telephone theft and keep valuables out of sight and to remain safe in public spaces.”
Currys trained personnel at the Oxford Street store to support victims of telephone theft, including communicating with their families and police, canceling cards and helping them to come home safely.
Customers will be given practical security advice, including tips when buying phones and using their phones, including a safe distance holding and awake clues.
Crimestoppers added Kate Johnston, Director of Business and Donation Collection: ın If you see suspicious behavior or witness the theft, inform Crimestoppers anonymously.
“No matter how small your knowledge is, we can help prevent more crime and keep our streets safer for everyone. Together, we can make a real difference by staying awake, adopting these simple safety habits and sharing what we know.”
