Christmas markets have emerged as a major hotspot for mobile-phone thefts during the festive season, according to new research. Increased outdoor phone use during crowded events — for taking photos, making payments or navigating — appears to be a key driver.
Recent data shows that December routinely sees a sharp spike in phone theft incidents, prompting safety warnings from consumer experts at Uswitch. The company urges mobile users to be extra vigilant and make sure all security features are fully enabled before heading out this Christmas.
More than one in five victims over the past two years said they were targeted while attending Christmas markets or other festive events — a startling trend given how briefly those markets run each year.
But the risk doesn’t end when the tinsel comes down. Outside the festive period, mobile-device theft remains alarmingly common. Recent estimates suggest that one in seven (around 15%) UK adults had a phone stolen in the past two years — equivalent to a theft every 7.6 seconds over that time frame.
Younger adults remain especially vulnerable. Around 32% of young people report having had a phone stolen — more than double the rate among over-35s. London is particularly hard hit: the capital recorded 117,211 stolen phones in 2024 alone, according to figures recently released by Metropolitan Police Service, making it one of the worst-affected areas in the UK.
Despite widespread awareness, many UK adults still fail to use all recommended security tools. While 85% say they do at least some of the “right things” to protect their phone when out and about, far fewer enable every available safety layer. For example, although 66% know about “Find My Device” and 58% are aware of two-factor authentication, only about a third of those aware (34%) actually have tracking switched on — and a mere 8% set up remote locking or data-wipe tools. These measures are vital: they let users locate lost devices, lock access, or remotely erase sensitive data before thieves can reach banking apps, personal photos or emails.
One Londoner, “Georgina,” knows this all too well. Her phone was snatched just before Christmas — allegedly from her hand while she was cycling. She says the incident changed how she carries her phone. “Now I keep it zipped inside a bag, use a cross-body strap, and I’ve bought phone insurance,” she explains.
For his part, Archie Burkinshaw — mobiles expert at Uswitch — warns that crowded festive environments significantly boost risk:
“Phones are out and in use more often — for payments, navigation or photos. That creates more opportunities for thieves. But the loss isn’t only the handset; a stolen phone can give criminals access to banking apps, emails, passwords and private photos within minutes.”
To guard your phone this holiday season, Archie recommends enabling every layer of security available:
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Turn on “Find My Device”, strong passcode and two-factor authentication.
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Set up remote lock and wipe so you can quickly disable or erase the device if it’s stolen.
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Use biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition), especially for banking and payment apps.
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Block quick-settings access when locked (e.g. disable Control Centre on iPhone or Quick Settings on Android) — so thieves can’t quickly enable airplane mode or disable location tracking.
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Keep sensitive apps (banking, payments) in a secure or private folder protected by biometrics.
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Record your IMEI number (dial *#06#), and store it somewhere other than on your handset — handy if you need to report a theft to the police.
For more tips on phone safety and keeping your data secure, visit Uswitch’s mobile-security guidance page at Uswitch.com.
If you’re planning to visit Christmas markets — or simply spending more time out and about this winter — now is the time to double-check your mobile security settings. The surge in thefts isn’t just a big city problem: it affects young and old alike. In a season of giving (and snapping), losing access to your phone can be far more costly than you expect.
Stay alert. Enable security. Enjoy the holidays — safely.
