Urgent warning as we enter 'prime pickpocketing season' in London
Londoners are being warned to keep their wits about them this festive season, as pickpockets target tourist and shopping hotspots.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but also prime season for pickpockets, according to new research from Ripe Valuables.
The insurer analysed thousands of TripAdvisor reviews mentioning the word “pickpocket” across the UK’s tourist attractions and found that London dominates the list of theft hotspots, just as Christmas markets and festive shopping crowds hit their peak.
Camden Market takes the unwanted top spot, with 81 mentions of pickpocketing in visitor reviews, followed by Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Oxford Street. Each attracts millions of festive visitors every year and, unfortunately, opportunistic thieves too.
Even cultural and shopping landmarks such as Portobello Road Market, Leicester Square, and The British Museum made the top ten, showing that both open-air markets and indoor attractions carry risks during the holiday rush.
Beyond the capital, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Manchester’s Market Street, and Brighton’s Palace Pier were also flagged as hotspots as Christmas markets open nationwide.
London’s 10 most pickpocket-prone areas/attractions:
- Camden Market
- Covent Garden
- Buckingham Palace
- Big Ben
- Oxford Street
- Piccadilly Circus
- Portobello Road Market
- Leicester Square
- Borough Market
- The British Museum
Alan Thomas, CEO of Ripe Valuables Insurance, said: “We want everyone to enjoy the UK’s Christmas markets and festive attractions safely. Protecting your valuables should be as much a priority as wrapping your presents.”
The company recommends simple safety steps such as using anti-theft bags, keeping phones and wallets out of sight, and splitting up cash and cards — so you can soak up the sparkle of Christmas without any unpleasant surprises.
Read up on the Met Police’s advice against pickpockets by clicking here.