‘They rob you visibly, with no repercussions’ – the unstoppable rise of phone theft
Snatch thefts of mobile phones soared by 150% in the last year, with victims left unable to work, use their bank, travel or use their diaries. Why are police finding it so hard to stop?
Jenny Tian, 29, a comedian from Australia, had been in London for two weeks when she saw a group of guys in ski masks on a street in east London. “I thought to myself: ‘They’re probably on their way to rob a home, they’re not going to bother me.’” It was 5pm, still broad daylight, and she had her phone out, trying to find a venue on Google Maps. “You know when you’re turning yourself into a human compass, pivoting around, trying to work out where it’s sending you? I looked very lost, I guess.” The next thing she heard was the sound of running, then a whoosh of air, and her phone was gone.
This was not OK. London’s first independent victims’ commissioner, Claire Waxman, stressed in a statement that she definitely gets it. “Our lives are on our phones – our contacts, family photos, social media accounts, contactless payments, travelcards, emails. They are a form of safety and comfort for people but taking someone’s device robs them of that security.” For Tian, there was weeks of work on her phone – notes for her standup, edited videos for her Instagram feed, all her contacts with bookers, all her connections to home, her Apple Pay, her banking details, her diary, never mind she didn’t know where she was.
Continue reading...Date: |
-
Top stories - CBS News
3 reasons behind the rise in breast cancer, including some you can control
There's a troubling rise in breast cancer in women under the age of 50, an American Cancer Society report shows, but there are things you can do to help lower your risk. 13 hours ago -
Sports - ESPN
NWSL: Shield-clinching Orlando looks unstoppable
The Pride reaffirmed their dominance of the league and remain unbeaten in the regular season.10 hours ago -
Business - Inc.
FCC Lets Starlink Connect Directly to Phones in Disaster-Hit Areas
Elon Musk’s space-based internet satellites got special permission to act as cell phone towers in the sky, connecting people in blacked-out areas of North Carolina as they begin post-storm recovery ...Yesterday -
Tech - VentureBeat
CareYaya’s QuikTok is AI phone companion for lonely aging adults
CareYaya Health Technologies has launched QuikTok, an AI phone companion targeted at lonely older adults.19 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
iPhone 16 Pro review: Apple levels up its smaller ‘pro’ phone
Bigger screen, new camera control button, 5x optical zoom and faster chips squeeze flagship features into smaller frame. Apple has upgraded the iPhone 16 Pro by adding the 5x zoom camera from the ...Yesterday - Apple -
World - The Guardian
Bunting, bobbies and Doctor Who phone boxes: Dinard, the French film festival that’s mad for Britain
Every autumn, a seaside resort in Brittany hosts a charming festival that celebrates only low-budget, independent British and Irish films. Is this a curious case for Poirot?. Cannes may be the home ...19 hours ago - United Kingdom -
Politics - The Hill
Tampa mayor: If you stay in evacuation area, ‘you are going to die’
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is warning residents ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall that if they stay in the evacuation area, they will die. “The No. 1 message, as it has been for several days now, ...13 hours ago -
Politics - The Hill
Asheville small businesses: You will recover
If you're a small-business owner in Asheville, unfortunately, you're reeling right now.Yesterday
More from The Guardian
-
World - The Guardian
Floridians warned ‘you are going to die’ if they don’t evacuate as Milton nears
Thousands of evacuees clog highways as storm projected to hit Tampa Bay on Wednesday restrengthens to category 5. Florida’s western coast was making emergency preparations on Tuesday for the impact ...10 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
The high life: Kamala Harris cracks open a beer with Stephen Colbert
Democratic nominee shares a Miller High Life in late-night TV chat, and discusses Trump, Gaza and Vladimir Putin. When they go low, she goes high. Miller High Life to be precise.. Kamala Harris ...5 hours ago - Kamala Harris -
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: Biden expected to hold call with Netanyahu; family of nine reportedly killed in northern Gaza
Two leaders will reportedly discuss any Israeli plans to strike Iran; family among 12 killed in northern and central Gaza, Palestinian media reports. Israeli military deploys fourth division in ...29 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
World - The Guardian
Fugitive father filmed with children in New Zealand wilderness three years after disappearing
Pig hunters captured video of Tom Phillips and his three children in camouflage walking in rugged terrain in the Waikato region. A fugitive father and his three children have been spotted together ...6 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Anger and disgust in Mexico over beheading of newly sworn-in city mayor
Country’s new president to set out public security plans after murder of Alejandro Arcos Catalán in Chilpancingo. Mexico’s new government has been shaken by the murder of a city mayor who was ...17 hours ago - Mexico