PEDESTRIANS in London’s prime procuring district are being warned to get off their telephones by large indicators painted on the road – after theft charges soared to document highs.
Electrical retailer Currys painted purple traces alongside Oxford Road to remind buyers to step again from the kerb and hold their mobiles hidden from e-bike thieves.
The transfer is modelled on the Tube’s iconic yellow “thoughts the hole” traces.
It’s a part of a marketing campaign to assist drive down telephone thefts on packed excessive streets.
We revealed earlier this 12 months how a telephone was stolen on common each seven minutes within the capital final 12 months.
The thefts normally contain criminals on mopeds snatching telephones straight from folks’s fingers on busy pavements earlier than rushing off.
New anti-theft signage may even be put in on Oxford Road – the house of Marks and Spencer’s and Adidas’ flagship shops – as a part of the ‘Thoughts the Seize’ marketing campaign.
It has been backed by Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police, and the charity Crimestoppers.
Ed Connolly, the chief business officer at Currys, stated: “Cellphone theft isn’t nearly shedding a tool. It’s horrifying, invasive, and cuts folks off from their family members, their cash, and their day by day lives.
“Sufficient is sufficient. It’s time to attract the road on telephone theft (with) a daring pavement marking we imagine could make an actual distinction by encouraging folks to step again from the kerb.”
Westminster Council has granted permission for the examine to be tried on one of many capital’s busiest streets.
Deputy chief Aicha Much less stated: “This marketing campaign is a superb instance of how we’re working with companions to boost consciousness about telephone thefts and promote easy measures to remain secure in public areas, resembling preserving valuables out of sight and planning routes dwelling upfront.”
PALondoners are being warned to get off their telephones by large indicators painted on the road[/caption]