London: Capital of laptop theft

Theft growing faster than sales...

Londoners had more than 15,000 laptop computers stolen last year - raising further concerns about the amount of sensitive information that may be falling into the wrong hands.

Worst London boroughs for laptop robberies

1. Brent (23)
2. Lambeth (22)
3. Westminster (21)
4= Newham (20)
4= Southwark (20)

Last week silicon.com revealed the Metropolitan Police area saw by far the highest number of robberies and thefts of laptops during 2006 - more than 6,000. However, silicon.com can now reveal that when burglaries are included the total figure jumps to 15,389 - up nearly 20 per cent year-on-year.

That figure is equal to one laptop stolen in the Metropolitan Police area for every 500 Londoners last year alone.

Worst boroughs for loss of laptop by burglary

1. Westminster (637)
2. Camden (635)
3. Hammersmith & Fulham (552)
4. Lambeth (467)
5. Islington (461)

The Metropolitan Police operates in 33 London Boroughs with a population of around 7.5 million people. Westminster, at the very heart of London, is the worst hit borough, suffering the highest levels of burglary and thefts where a laptop was taken. Brent in North London suffered the highest levels of robbery.

Worst boroughs for theft & handling of laptops

1. Westminster (1,347)
2. Camden (633)
3. Islington (292)
4= Hammersmith & Fulham (289)
4= Southwark (289)

Overall, more laptops were stolen in Westminster (2,005) than in the 10 least affected London boroughs.

The total number of laptops stolen in all events increased 18.3 per cent year-on-year compared to 2005 figures. The total number of laptops stolen during burglaries increased 21.3 per cent, and instances of theft and handling increased 16.4 per cent.

However, the total number of laptops stolen during a robbery fell 10.2 per cent.

All reported stolen laptops

1. Westminster (2,005)
2. Camden (1,279))
3. Hammersmith & Fulham (849)
4. Islington (766)
5. Southwark (730)
6. Lambeth (643)
7. Kensington & Chelsea (616)
8. Tower Hamlets (600)
9. Ealing (573)
10. Barnet (564)

11. Haringey (552); 12. Wandsworth (547); 13. Hounslow (494); 14. Hackney (417); 15. Brent (399); 16. Hillingdon (385); 17. Newham (380); 18. Lewisham (349); 19. Bromley (335); 20. Richmond upon Thames (316); 21. Heathrow (289); 22. Redbridge (274); 23. Harrow (247); 24= Enfield (237); 24= Waltham Forest (237); 26= Croydon (230); 26= Greenwich (230); 28. Merton (188); 29. Havering (166); 30. Kingston upon Thames (163); 31. Barking & Dagenham (142); 32. Bexley (97); 33. Sutton (90)

Although laptop thefts are often an opportunist crime, with thieves striking when the victim's back is turned or their bag unguarded, security experts are warning that as criminals become more aware of the value of data on poorly protected laptops - which often exceeds any value there may be in selling the device second-hand - more targeted attacks could take place.

Although theft is nothing new, the number of laptops travelling around the capital on any given day is increasing significantly and creating a greater risk of data going astray. An opportunist thief will certainly find it easier to bag a laptop than get into a home or office and remove a desktop PC.

IDC reports the laptop market is currently growing at 16 per cent per year - lower than the rate of laptop theft in London (18.3 per cent).