As fresher’s week gets under way as students start college and uni, British Transport Police (BTP) is welcoming students to London. BTP officers will be increasing patrols at stations over the next few weeks to welcome people to the area and advise passengers on how to keep their valuables safe.
Many students will be using new travel routes at the start of the term and will often carry expensive phones and equipment. BTP recently launched Operation Magnum, a long term initiative that aims to help Tube and rail passengers keep valuables safe from pickpockets, gadget-grabbers and luggage thieves.
As part of the initiative, officers have issued video clips to help the travelling public spot 13 of the most common tricks thieves use.
Op Magnum will see BTP officers work with train operating companies and local police forces to disrupt and deter pickpockets who prey on unsuspecting commuters and tourists at busy stations, thieves who brazenly snatch expensive smartphones from distracted passengers’ hands and those who steal luggage and valuables on trains.
Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden, officer in charge of the operation, said: “Officers will be visiting universities and colleges in the coming weeks to introduce themselves and hand out crime prevention advice to ensure the students are able to avoid becoming victims of crime.
“They will also be on hand at stations to help people register their electrical gadgets to immobilise.com, a website that helps police reunite people with their lost or stolen items.”
Chief Supt Brogden added: “There are lots of things that passengers can do to make sure they protect themselves from thieves.
“Remember to keep your luggage close by and check on it regularly, keep your valuables hidden if you’re going to sleep and always zip up any hand or shoulder bags.
“Unsurprisingly, mobile phones are a popular target for thieves, so try to keep yours hidden. Installing a tracker application on your smartphone could help trace your device if it’s stolen.”
Early indications show that Operation Magnum is having an impact, with the total number of thefts across England, Scotland and Wales between June and August this year down 9.5% compared to the same period last year, according to police. This figure is calculated by comparing the total number of thefts (including pickpocketing, luggage and snatch thefts) across England, Scotland and Wales between 1 June and 12 August 2012 (3,507) and the total number between 1 June and 12 August 2013 (3,174).
BTP officers will be attending a number of universities and colleges to provide advice, including Newham Sixth Form College, Turkish Community Centre in Islington and University of London. On Thursday, September 12, officers will be patrolling London Underground stations that serve as links to a number of universities and colleges, including Barons Court, Bounds Green, Findsbury Park and Turnpike Lane.
Videos featured on the Op Magnum website (http://www.btp.police.uk/theft) and the BTP YouTube channel show passengers the 13 most common tricks thieves use.
