Thefts of mobile phones are getting worse as some smartphone shops take drastic measures such as keeping the store doors shut when they are open for business
Mobile phone shops are locking their doors during trading hours following a surge in thefts.
They are even considering “kill switches” to disable stolen devices amid the more than nine-fold increase in thefts at some high street stores.
VodafoneThree has seen a 967% increase in thefts in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2024.
The mobile phone company has 650 stores, the largest number in the UK, and has introduced a locked door policy at some shops.
This requires security guards to open the store’s doors to customers during trading hours, rather than them remaining open at all times.
“This is a disappointing, but necessary step,” a VodafoneThree spokesperson said.
“In recent months, the telecoms sector has seen an alarming surge in aggressive robberies and attempted robberies in stores, particularly across London and the south-east of England.
“VodafoneThree has seen a nine-times increase in these types of incidents.”
Virgin Media O2, which has 305 stores, has seen more than double the number of robberies in the first half of this year compared with all of 2024.
The company is also implementing a “locked door” policy at certain higher risk stores and investing in more security guards, panic alarms and enhanced in-house security systems.
Will Houldsworth, of Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re fighting back and protecting our people and customers.”
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