Remove any company lanyards before leaving work. Thieves can target people from larger, corporate organisations on the expectation that they are likely to be carrying high-value company laptops and phones.

While walking hold any bags, laptop bags and phones away from the roadside; this makes it much harder for thieves to snatch any items, as it requires them to mount the pavement and swerve around pavement obstacles and other people.

Criminals often use bikes, e-bikes, mopeds and e-scooters to snatch mobile phones, particularly at busy locations such as outside stations or offices on busy streets. They usually approach from behind whilst people are talking or texting on phones. Phone snatches can occur at any time, although peak periods are in the morning rush hour, lunchtime and 5pm onwards.

Keep your phone and headphones away when walking in unfamiliar areas. Staying alert allows you to notice what’s happening around you, from approaching vehicles to any unusual activity.

Going hands free can prevent a thief from snatching the phone out of your hand. If you do need to text or check your phone, look around for anyone near you on a bike, scooter or moped, stay close to a building with your back to the wall so that no one can come up behind you. Keep looking up.

Make a note of your mobile phone’s unique IMIE number. This is a unique identifier. You can find the number by pressing *#06# in keypad mode on your phone. If you take a screen grab, email it to yourself at work or home or both. You can then provide this number to your mobile phone provider if your phone is stolen and it can be blocked from being used. The police always check the IMIE number of anyone who is arrested for any offence, which is checked against the IMIE register.

Find out more about phone snatches on our website here, including how to report a phone snatch.

Darker evenings can make it easier for opportunistic thieves to go unnoticed. Pickpockets are skilled at blending in, making them difficult to spot. They often loiter in public spaces, paying close attention to where people place their wallets or bags.

Pickpockets often take advantage of crowded places like shops or busy streets, where people are distracted and less aware of their belongings. They may work alone or in teams, using tactics like distracting a target while an accomplice steals an item. Be extra alert in crowded areas, as it’s easier for thieves to bump into you and take something unnoticed.

Some pickpockets operate in groups, creating distractions such as loud noises or staged events to divert attention. Others use tricks like “hugger mugging,” where they pretend to be overly friendly and steal from you during physical contact. Be cautious of any unexpected distractions or overly friendly strangers, especially in busy settings.

To protect yourself, keep purses and bags closed, carry them in front of you, and use a money belt for larger amounts of cash. Even with precautions, remember that a zipped bag isn’t foolproof. Thieves can be bold enough to unzip bags while walking behind you. Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings to reduce the risk of falling victim to these tactics.

Find out how to spot pickpockets here.

Enjoying a night out with friends or colleagues can be a wonderful way to unwind and make memories together. To keep the good times rolling, it is wise to take a few extra steps to protect your belongings while socialising in restaurants and bars.

Avoid leaving belongings unattended, especially items placed on the back of chairs or pushchairs, as these can be easy targets for thieves. For added security, store valuable documents in a zipped compartment and, if possible, keep copies in a separate place.

Be cautious of distraction thefts, a common tactic in busy pubs and restaurants. Thieves may approach with a map, flyer, or paper to cover your phone or other belongings left on the table, making it easy to take items without you noticing. To prevent this, keep your phone and small valuables off the table or in a pocket when not in use.

If you have a laptop, place it under the table rather than beside your chair, where it could easily be snatched. Some venues use Chelsea Clips, a device that enables you to hook a strap or handle of your bag or laptop case securely. Look for these clips below tables and ledges in bars and restaurants for added peace of mind.

Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

Everyone should feel safe to enjoy themselves without worrying about being spiked. However, there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of spiking, whilst keeping yourself and others safe.

• Watch out for your friends and look after each other.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Be cautious if you are bought or given a drink – consider only accept drinks from people you know and trust.
• Be wary if people are reaching over your drinks.
• Alert staff immediately if you see anyone acting suspiciously around your or someone else’s drink.
• If you or a friend feel unwell, seek help from staff or call an ambulance immediately.

It can be difficult to tell if your drink has been spiked but if you notice any changes to the appearance or taste of your drink, stop drinking it. If you’re in a bar or club tell staff or security immediately.

If you think you or a friend have been spiked, there are a range of things to look out for, including:

• confusion
• nausea or vomiting
• hallucinations and paranoia
• disorientation or poor coordination
• loss of ability to communicate properly
• unconsciousness

Find out more about spiking on the Metropolitan Police website, including how to report it.

If you are a Marble Arch BID member and would like some glass bottle anti spiking caps, get in touch and a member of our Street Team will drop them off.

Marble Arch London BID launched the district’s first four Safe Havens in 2025, located at Marriott Hotel Marble Arch, The Cumberland Hotel, Waitrose Edgware Road and McDonald’s on Edgware Road. These venues are the first in the area to join the pan-London Safe Haven network.

The Safe Havens initiative forms part of the BID’s broader strategy to improve safety for women and girls at night and offer reassurance to anyone who may feel vulnerable, whether living, working, or visiting the Marble Arch and Edgware Road area.

The new Safe Havens offer a secure and welcoming environment where individuals can take a short break, charge their phone, access a drink of water, or arrange safe transport home. While not expected to offer specialist interventions, trained staff are able to contact emergency services and signpost to specialist support services if required.

All Marble Arch Safe Havens are part of the city-wide Safe Haven network, now comprising over 190 venues across London. They can be easily located using the Safe Haven app, which is free to download on both iOS and Android. Each participating venue is clearly marked with Safe Haven signage on its doors or windows for easy identification.

Find out more about Safe Havens on our website here. 

‘Ask for Angela’ is a safety initiative that has been rolled out to a large number of bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across London.  People (of any gender identity) who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that the person requires help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. More details on this can be found here.

Nights Stars are volunteers who work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council with the aim to help make nights out safer for all. They currently operate in Soho, China Town, Leicester Square and Piccadilly.

They can help in a variety of ways including if you need water, someone to talk to, a safe place to sober up, directions, helping if you’ve had property stolen, making sure you get home safely or even giving out slippers.

They are based at the Night Hub at St Anne’s Church, Soho and easily recognisable by their pink reflective vests.

Night Stars currently operate on Friday nights from 10pm to 5am. To find or contact them, call 0207 641 3344, or visit them at the Soo Night Hub, ST Anne’s Church Hall, 55 Dean St W1D 6AF, or use the what3words app to find the Night Hub at ///zealous.ticket.dining

Before leaving the office or the pub, plan your route using reliable apps like Google Maps or Citymapper. Share your estimated arrival time with a trusted friend or family member, and let them know when you’re leaving. Planning ahead ensures you stay on well-lit, familiar paths.

Stay close to your group throughout the night and avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas. Consider using phone apps like Find My Friends or WhatsApp Live Location to share your location with a trusted contact.

When walking or cycling, choose routes that are well-lit and avoid isolated streets or shortcuts through parks. If you’re walking alone, opt for busier streets where there’s more foot traffic. Darkness can reduce visibility, so staying in well-lit areas can help you stay aware of your surroundings.

If you’re running or cycling after dark, make sure you’re visible to others. Reflective clothing, armbands, or accessories can make a big difference, especially for cyclists.

Public transport

You can use the TfL nearby tool to locate your nearest transport service and check for disruptions before you travel on the TfL website here.

The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. View the Night Tube map here, it also shows which of the current Night Tube stations have taxi ranks running.

London Buses run services 24 hours a day. Every bus is fitted with CCTV. To find out when your next bus is due, just search for your stop or choose your route number. Check live bus arrivals here.

You can plan and check your journey at Christmas and New Year on the National Rail website.

Licensed taxis

For late-night journeys, use licensed black taxis or book a minicab through a reputable app or company. If you’re using a rideshare service, verify the driver’s details and vehicle before getting in. Avoid unbooked minicabs, as they can be dangerous and untraceable.

Using a licensed minicab company means that a TfL licensed minicab driver and vehicle will be sent to pick you up, a record will be kept of your journey, your driver and the vehicle they used, and your driver will have been through police background checks.

Minicabs need to be booked direct with a licensed minicab company via app, phone, or at their office. You must receive a booking confirmation, which could be by text message, app, email or – if you’re in a minicab office – paper receipt. The booking confirmation must contain, as a minimum:

• The vehicle registration mark
• The first name of the driver
• The driver’s private hire licence number
• Where the passenger can receive it, a photo of driver
• If the driver or the car picking you up isn’t the same as in your booking confirmation, don’t get in the car – it isn’t safe. Never use an unbooked minicab – they are dangerous and illegal.

An unbooked minicab is a minicab that has not been booked with a licensed minicab company. If it’s not booked, it’s not safe, even if:

• It has a TfL licence sticker in the window
• You approach a driver directly
• The driver approaches you
• A doorman takes you to a minicab

Remember, unbooked minicabs are dangerous. If there’s no booking, there’s no record of your journey in case there are any problems.

Unbooked minicabs are illegal and uninsured for carrying passengers. Only black taxis (the ones with the orange ‘taxi’ lights) can be hailed on the street or hired at a rank without a booking.

If a driver makes you feel uncomfortable but you think their behaviour is not a crime (e.g. by making inappropriate comments or leering at you), you can report this type of inappropriate driver behaviour to TfL by calling 0343 222 4000 (Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00).

Find out the best options for travel at night, and how to complain or report incidents on the TfL website here.  

Pedicabs

Many pedicabs operate without regulation and have been known to charge exorbitant fees, especially in busy areas and during peak times. There have been reports of tourists and locals alike facing unexpectedly high charges at the end of their journeys, which can lead to uncomfortable disputes. Additionally, some pedicabs operate without proper safety standards, putting passengers at risk. To avoid these issues, it is safer to consider alternative, licensed forms of transport like black cabs or licensed minicabs, which provide clear pricing and safer travel conditions.

The Metropolitan Police has further crime prevention information which can be found here. Remember, in an emergency dial 999 and in a non-emergency dial 101. Crime should always be reported as the Police and the Marble Arch BID use crime statistics to deploy resources and plan operations. Crime can also be easily reported online here.

The Marble Arch Street Team patrol the BID area Monday-Thursday from 8am-10pm and Friday-Saturday from 8am-midnight. They act as a deterrent for potential offenders and remind businesses and visitors of the above safety tips. The Street Team can be contacted by phone or WhatsApp on 07825 750 777 or 07852 566 122.