London sees a spike in e-bike phone thefts as street thieves target iPhones for higher resale value, often discarding Samsungs. What's driving the trend?
© A. Krivonosov
London is seeing a spike in audacious phone thefts. Offenders on e-bikes yank handsets from pedestrians or swarm a target until valuables change hands. A new report points to an unexpected pattern: even thieves have preferences, and iPhones top their wish lists.
Several recent incidents illustrate the trend. A 32-year-old from south London said eight people took his bag and phone, but one of them came back, handed the handset over, and said he didn’t need a Samsung.
In another case, a rider on an e-bike snatched a passerby’s phone, rode a short distance, checked the model, and simply dropped it. It turned out to be a Samsung Galaxy, and the thief apparently decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
Experts note that Apple smartphones hold their value on the secondary market, while most Android devices, including Samsung models, sell for considerably less. For thieves, the calculation is straightforward: Apple gear is easier to move and commands higher prices from resellers.
Authorities have yet to offer effective answers to the rise in these crimes. As bleak as it sounds, opting for a Samsung may indeed lower the odds of being targeted in London—the devices simply don’t attract much interest from the perpetrators. It’s a telling reminder that the street economy, not brand loyalty, often decides what gets stolen.