LONDON — London’s ‘Mind the Grab’ campaign, launched this summer, has ignited a heated public debate over the city’s approach to curbing phone theft. The initiative, featuring bold purple chalk signs along the iconic Oxford Street, aims to raise awareness of a growing issue in the city’s bustling pedestrian zones. However, critics argue that the campaign is placing the blame on victims rather than addressing the root cause of the problem by cracking down on criminals. The initiative, a collaboration between the Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police, and tech retailer Currys, has sparked widespread online backlash, with residents and visitors voicing their frustration.
Many social media users and online forums have taken to platforms like Reddit and X to express their discontent. One Reddit user wrote,