Tourist hot spot blasted for ‘normalizing theft’ with phone-snatching awareness campaign

A campaign that debuted in London this summer is facing backlash, with both residents and visitors criticizing officials for failing to tackle crime problems head-on.

The “Mind the Grab” initiative aims to raise awareness of widespread phone theft along the city’s iconic Oxford Street shopping district.

Bold purple chalk signs on the edge of the sidewalks say, “Mind the Grab,” and “Step back from the Kerb! Phone snatching hot spot.”

The Westminster Council and Metropolitan Police Service have partnered with Currys, the U.K.’s largest tech retailer, to remind pedestrians of thefts on mopeds or e-bikes along busy streets. 

Since it launched, the campaign has sparked an active response online, with locals and tourists taking to social media to voice strong opinions.

One Instagram user posted a video

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