A street campaign insired by the London Underground yellow ”Mnd The Gap’ platform line is being implemented by Currys to tackle mobile phone theft in London city hotspots.
The ‘Mind the Grab’ initiative is backed by Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police Service, and Crimestoppers, It will trial a painted purple line along Oxford Street pavements to remind pedestrians to step back from the kerb and keep their phones out of sight in an attempt to reducie the risk of thieves grabbing their devices.
The London Underground’s famous ‘Mind the Gap’ safety line is meant to nudge behaviour and make people more theft-aware of their surroundings.
As part of the campaign, Currys is training staff at its Oxford Street store to help victims immediately after a theft, contacting family, notifying police, cancelling bank cards, and arranging safe travel home.
The Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research at Birkbeck University will evaluate the campaign’s effectiveness, with results expected by the end of the year.
Currys reckons 77 per cent of research respondents view phone snatching as a serious problem, rising to 88 per cent in London. More than 34,000 incidents were recorded last year in Westminster, equivalent to one phone stolen every 15 minutes. Many thefts involve moped or e-bike riders targeting pedestrians.
Metropolitan Police Superintendent Natasha Evans said robbery in the West End has fallen 20 per cent since April thanks to targeted patrols, and initiatives like Currys’ will help maintain pressure on organised theft gangs.
Currys Chief Commercial Officer Ed Connolly added: “Phone theft isn’t just about losing a device. It’s frightening, invasive, and cuts people off from their loved ones, their money, and their daily lives. It’s time to draw the line on phone theft.”
If successful, the scheme could be rolled out to other UK high streets in partnership with local authorities and government bodies.
