Revealed: London’s worst Tube line for pickpocketing runs through Newham
The Central Line has been revealed to have had the most thefts last year. Picture: PA/Nick Ansell - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Newham commuters are well advised to keep an extra watchful eye on their belongings following the revelation of the capital’s worst Tube line for pickpocketing.
Figures from the British Transport Police show that 879 thefts took place on the Central Line between August 2017 and July 2018 - more than any other line on the underground.
This was followed closely by the Piccadilly Line (864), with the Victoria Line in a distant third (726).
The total number of thefts on the underground tallied up to 5,153, averaging at 429 each month, which is a 35pc increase on two years ago.
The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request submitted by insurance company Policy Expert.
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Adam Powell, the company’s operations director, said: “Thieves usually use distraction tactics where they try and divert a person’s attention so items can be stolen – usually a phone, watch, wallet, tablet, or a gadget of some description, but sometimes an entire handbag.
He added: It’s also worth checking whether your home insurance policy includes away from home cover.
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“That way if you do fall victim to theft you can potentially be reimbursed for the items stolen.”
The study found that women were 1.4 times more likely to be a target than men.
In total, 56pc (2,877) of incidents were reported by women, compared to 41pc (2,092) reported by men.
With the most targeted age group were those aged 25 to 34, who reported 30pc (1,527) of the thefts.
Eighteen to 25 year olds came in at a distant second (1,044 or 20pc).
The figures indicate that Saturdays are the worst day for theft with over 900 thefts reported.
Thieves are most likely to strike between 6 to 7pm as people rush home from work.
Only 8pc of reported incident take place at night – making it the safest time to travel
March was the month with the highest amount of theft with 525 incidents recorded; followed closely by December (506).
