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The rise of the 'ride-by' muggings: Increase in number of bikers



The number of thefts carried out by criminals on bicycles who are snatching mobile phones from people's hands is on the rise, latest figures suggest.


Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that police-recorded incidents of 'theft from the person' rose by 8 per cent in the year to December 2012.


It is believed this is being driven by smartphone theft, including the 'phenomena' of bike riders stealing phones from people’s hands.



It is believed the increase in thefts is being driven by bike riders stealing phones from people's hands

Recent victims include the wife of Nick Mason, the Pink Floyd drummer, who walking her two Labradors on Hampstead Heath when a man prised her iPhone from her hand when he rode past.


Annette Mason, 52, said that she is afraid to use her mobile phone in public after being mugged last December.




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There were 107, 471 offences of theft from the person recorded in the year to December 2012, compared to 99,396 in the previous year.


The ONS said the rate of increase had sped up since 2008/2009.




This increase occurred almost entirely in London with the volume of theft from the person offences in the rest of England and Wales remaining fairly flat since 2008/09.


Meanwhile, the estimated level of crime in England and Wales fell by 5 per cent to 8.9 million crimes against adults in the year to December 2012, while the total number of police-recorded crimes fell 8 per cent to 3.7 million in the same period.

The ONS said the crime figures include the 214 sexual offences related to the high-profile Operation Yewtree associated with disgraced presenter Jimmy Savile.


However, despite this, there was a 3 per cent fall in overall recorded sexual offences.



The so-called Yewtree effect, which may results in more victims coming forward to report historical sexual abuse, may impact on future figures.

Crime prevention minister Jeremy Browne said: 'Crime continues to fall - recorded crime is down by more than 10 per cent under this Government and the independent survey shows crime is at its lowest level since records began.

'It is particularly encouraging that this downward trend is replicated across every police force in England and Wales.




'They have shown an impressive ability to accommodate necessary budget reductions whilst still cutting crime.

'This shows our reforms are working. We have swept away central targets, reduced bureaucracy and the police should be congratulated for rising to the challenge of doing more with less.

'England and Wales are safer than they have been for decades. We will continue to work hard to tackle crime and its underlying causes.'


All of the main categories of police-recorded crime fell in the year ending December 2012, compared with the previous year, the ONS said, including a four per cent fall in homicides.

The total number of incidents in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) is estimated to have fallen by 19 per cent compared with the 2006/07 survey.









In addition, the CSEW estimated that there were 0.9 million crimes against children aged 10 to 15 in 2012.

There were 9.2 million incidents of crime against businesses in England and Wales, the ONS said, while around 2.3 million incidents of anti-social behaviour were recorded by the police.

Deputy chief constable Jeff Farrar, Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) lead for crime and statistics, said: 'The police service is committed to driving down crime in the local communities.


'The statistics released today reflect the efforts of our workforce in doing all they can to protect communities from harm.'


A man on the pavement stands casually texting someone as a bike can be seen approaching towards him


Speedy grab: In just a few seconds a man on a bike zooms past him snatching his phone out of his hands

He added: 'Disappointingly, police recorded data shows that theft from the person has increased by 8 per cent in the last year.


'The major driver for the increase is the rising number of mobile phone thefts.

'We would urge the public to stay alert and be aware of what is going on around you.
'Take particular care of mobile phones and personal items when in public places where thieves may seek to take advantage.'

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