Rolex Rippers: Luxury thefts in London surged 22% in past year

New Metropolitan Police data* has revealed the number of reported luxury thefts in London has surged 22% in the past year, reaching a total of 9,433 stolen jewellery, watches and handbags in the past year alone.

According to the latest data, designer handbags are the items that have seen the largest increase in theft since 2022 (up 19% year on year.) Watch thefts have fallen by 8%, however, only 1.25% of these were recovered by the police.

The data comes as the Met police investigate gangs known as the ‘Rolex Rippers’ in London using undercover officers to catch robbers attempting to steal luxury items to help cut watch theft in the capital.**

The data, collated by London criminal defence solicitors Lawtons, revealed the most targeted designer watch brand as Rolex, accounting for 17% of total watch thefts in the past year. This was followed by Cartier (3%) and Omega (2%). The most common handbag brands include Louis Vuitton (6%) and Chanel (4%).

The data also revealed Westminster is the London borough targeted most often by luxury thieves. Westminster had over 1,596 reported incidents in the past year, nearly double the number in second-placed Kensington and Chelsea (810) and Ealing (618).

Westminster- 1596
Kensington and Chelsea- 810
Ealing- 618
Barnet- 618
Camden- 504
Hammersmith and Fulham- 462
Harrow-420