Staying aware of your belongings this Summer!

As the brighter weather arrives and more people are out enjoying Southside’s bars, restaurants, cafés and public spaces, we’re encouraging everyone to stay mindful of their personal belongings, especially mobile phones.

Nationally, mobile phones remain one of the most commonly stolen items due to their high value and how easily they can be moved on. Most incidents are opportunistic, happening in moments when a phone or other item is left out of sight or unattended, for example on a tabletop, a bar surface, a seat, or visible in an open bag or pocket.

We are sharing this simple yet important reminder in partnership with West Midlands Police to help everyone enjoy their time in the city safely and avoid giving thieves an easy opportunity.

Angela Qi Huang, Business Relationship Manager at Southside District said: “Our priority is making sure people feel confident and safe while enjoying everything Southside has to offer. Most thefts are opportunistic, and a few small habits, like keeping your phone out of sight and your bag closed, can make a real difference. This is about prevention, not alarm. By staying aware, we can all help reduce these incidents and keep Birmingham and Southside District welcoming for everyone.”

Key awareness messages

·       Always keep your belongings in sight

·       Unattended items = easy target

·       Conceal your phone, don’t leave it on show or lying around

·       Keep bags closed and within reach

Offenders often take advantage of brief moments of distraction. This can include lifting a phone from a table, taking it from an open bag, or even snatching it from someone’s hand while they’re walking or standing still.

How you can protect your device

·       Keep your phone in a zipped bag or inside pocket when not in use

·       Avoid placing your phone on tables, bar tops or benches

·       Stay aware of your surroundings when using your phone outdoors

·       Use two-factor authentication or passcodes (2FA) to lock your phone and apps, making it harder for someone to access your personal and financial data

·       Consider registering your device on Immobilise, the national property database 

·       Ask the Southside warden team about our SelectaDNA marking kits, to improve chances of recovery if lost or stolen

The Southside wardens will be engaging with Night-Time Economy venues to share further advice, including SelectaDNA kits and other practical prevention tools.

This simple awareness can make a meaningful difference helping everyone continue to enjoy our city safely and confidently.