This was taken at Marble Arch station where it has been the hotspot of phone snatching at tube stations in London

by donell_walter

25 comments

  1. New warning: There have been several instances of phones being taken while being used to photograph this sign.

  2. Warning: we have no security or cops in this city doing actual policing so if you’re victim of a crime tough shit just be careful, fight them off if they get aggressive.

  3. It ain’t a proper London experience without the phone snatching. I remember when I was working in Canary Wharf. A guy was waking past me and those moped thieves snatched his phone. We both looked at each other, perplexed, knowing that the phone is gone for good.

  4. I would love it if their hand got caught in the door as they were trying to steal a phone I hate them so much

  5. Not exactly a good advert for London, no matter how many people here say it was “10x worse in 80/90s” etc.

  6. How many people wrote this sign? I feel like there is different penmanship on every line.

  9. Yeah saw this happen live on the central line, I was heading into work early in the morning 6 am-ish. Guy got off the train but I noticed him suspiciously still hanging around the door, but I think my attention on him had put him up off striking at my door. He walk to the next set of doors, timed it with the sounding of closing doors swiped the phone of a poor lady sitting down with her back to the doors (so she couldn’t see him coming). She tried to run after him but unfortunately doors shut in her face. Felt so bad for her, one of those time when your instincts know something suspicious about someone.

  13. Warning: The police are too busy arresting people for talking about demonstrating againts our government’s support for a genocide to bother actually going after criminals.

  15. How much longer will not being allowed even pepper spray last?

  16. Real question! I am a Canadian coming to London in just under two weeks. I have been to London many times and am very familiar with the layout of it and I know the tube well, and know which station to get to for my hotel. Because it is not my first time in London, I am not planning to have my phone out and taking photos, unless I am like in the parks or woodlands (where I am planning to spend most of my time). I am planning to spend almost no time in Westminster or the touristy areas, with the exception of some West End shows. My plan is to keep my phone in my purse at all times on the streets and my purse clipped shut so it can’t open. Also, I’ll keep my purse at the front of me and I’ll be mindful of crowds. I live in Toronto and consider myself rather street savvy, but phone snatching isn’t a thing in Toronto right now. Hearing all the craziness happening in London, it’s making me a tad nervous. Any and all advice is helpful!! I know the odds of something happening to me are not high, but I know they’re also not 0. I just want to be prepared. I will do my very best to not look like a tourist, haha!

  17. Why can’t you just put your phone away people ? Nothing bad will happen. Surely you can manage a train journey without it ?

  18. Confusing underlining doesn’t help that message:

    > WARNING: SNATCHED TRAIN DOORS CLOSING VIGILANT

  19. This is a (yet another) sign showing things aren’t how they used to be.

    I say this in jest, naturally.

  20. Can confirm that when I am in London for work (few days every 2 weeks) and using my phone on the underground, it has been stolen 25 times in the last 5 visits. In fact, the thief is using it to make this post for me.

  21. Shouldn’t it be relatively easy to bait someone trying to steal a phone this way, just for someone to yoink it away at the last minute?

    Someone could do a very popular video series on YouTube, which would possibly lead to a fall in actual attempts. Winner winner.

    I know I’d watch.

  22. The phone snatchers might be surprised by all the Ed Sheeran pictures on everyone’s phones.

  24. it’s becoming a free for all. would like to go back to the days i could keep my phone out without clasping it with both hands

  25. Honestly this is why I always hide my phone when the train doors are open.

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