‘Mind the Grab’: London’s Most Famous Shopping Street Has a Controversial New Sidewalk Theft Warning

“Mind the Grab” is backed by the electronics retailer Currys in partnership with Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police, and Crimestoppers. The goal is to warn pedestrians on Oxford Street to step back from the curb and keep their devices out of sight. It’s being evaluated as a pilot study by the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research at the University of London to observe whether simple cues can reduce crime in high-risk zones.

@lbc LBC's Benji Hyer went to investigate the new signs designed to reduce phone thefts on one of London's busiest streets. #lbc #oxfordstreet #news #london ♬ original sound – LBC

But not everyone is convinced. Commenters on the news reports and TikTok posts have been quick to point out that the campaign shifts blame to potential victims, asking them to modify their behavior rather than police stopping the actual thefts.

Other critics include former London police detective Norman Brennan, who labeled the campaign a “nonsensical gimmick.” “If you want to stop phone thefts, you want police officers on streets, not purple lines,” Brennan told the Daily Mail, advocating for 24/7 motorbike response units instead. (Superintendent Natasha Evans, the Metropolitan Police’s lead for Westminster, said the force has increased patrols and robbery in the West End has dropped by 20 percent since April, according to Yahoo!.)

Oxford Street is one of London’s most trafficked and iconic thoroughfares, drawing travelers for shopping at more than 300 shops and restaurants in a mile and a half. For travelers who view London as a walkable and safe city, “Mind the Grab” is an awareness message but also a comment on who you should count on to avoid a theft from happening to you. And it’s far from the only scam travelers need to be aware of.