KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE Although the number of thefts in the City of London is relatively low, there are still many thefts that could be prevented. Thieves are keen to relieve you of purses, wallets, laptops, mobile phones and ipods. A few simple precautions can save a lot of inconvenience and stress. Thieves operate in crowded areas, particularly:


• Tube stations, around bus stations and in car parks


• Pubs, clubs, cafes and bars • Cash machines


So when you are in a crowded, busy place, take extra precautions to protect your valuables. Be discreet with your belongings: displaying expensive jewellery or electronic devices like mobile phones or cameras, could attract unwanted attention. Never leave your bags or other valuables unattended in public places, such as in the pocket of a jacket pocket hanging on a chair, at a bar counter or unattended under a pub table.


Mobile phones


Thieves take advantage of those who are distracted or who don’t keep a close eye on their mobile phones. Frequently, they are on the look out for the latest model and take note of who is using or carrying the model they are looking for. Reduce the risk of mobile phone theft by following these simple tips:


• Don’t leave your phone on tables in pubs or restaurants.


• When you leave a train or tube station, don’t use your phone immediately, leave it a while.


• Don’t walk and text at the same time, as you will be less aware of what is happening around you.


• Keep calls in public places as brief as possible. The longer you talk, the more likely you are to be spotted by a potential thief.


Property marking and Registering your valuables


It is recommended that you Property Mark your valuables by permanently and visibly marking the item with your postcode and house number or with a database phone number and unique reference. This makes the item less attractive to thieves as they know that if the Police find them in possession of it, then it can quickly be established whether it is stolen. In addition, the property may be more difficult for them to ‘cash in’ with another criminal or sell to a willing purchaser.


If the item is registered on a property registry database, it is much more likely that you will be reunited with it if it is recovered.


For more information on property marking and property registry databases, please see the websites below, or search on Property Marking: www.met.police.uk www.cityoflondon.police.uk


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