The number of reported thefts in Hackney increased by 29% between September and October this year.

Police crime data shows 961 cases were reported in October - nearly 20% higher than the average for the borough. 

Some of the highest rates were in Hoxton East and Shoreditch, with 55 cases of theft from a person and 53 cases of miscellaneous theft in the October.

London Fields saw 17 cases of bike theft and Hackney Central saw 20 cases of miscellaneous theft. 

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Business owner and manager of Bohemia Bikes Al Harper has seen the nature of theft change in the area.

“Now they’re on electric bikes and electric scooters… so it’s becoming harder [to avoid]," he said.

“There are guys going at 50 mph, 55 mph - fast.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Some of these thefts have been committed by criminals riding mopeds and bikes who are snatching bags and phones from people walking in the street. Tackling these thefts, and similar offences where force is used which would be recorded as robberies, is a priority for the Met. Officers are using a variety of tactics and identify and arrest suspects.

“In order to enable our officers to respond, we are asking people to report such offences at the earliest possible opportunity. Please call 999 if you have been the victim of a bag snatch, and if your phone has been taken please seek help from another member of the public or staff in a nearby shop or café, asking them to call 999 on your behalf.”

One resident who had his phone snatched while riding his bike was Kier, who said: “It wasn’t very nice … they were threatening me”

A spokesperson for the mayor of London said: “Crime and violence continues to fall in London, backing the national trend, and the number of theft offences in Hackney has fallen over the last three years. However, any spike in these offences is concerning and the mayor is clear that more must be done to drive down thefts, which can have such a personal and traumatic impact on victims. 

“That’s why the mayor is investing record amounts in policing, directly supporting 1,300 more police officers in our town centres and communities, to ensure they are in the right place at the right time to protect Londoners from crime, arrest suspects and help build a safer London for everyone.”