Theft on the seaside: Criminals steal £438million in unattended gadgets

Anyone with plans to soak up the sun on a beach should beware of thieves, according to insurer Churchill – with 2.7million people losing a total of £438million worth of items last year.

Churchill said that a further 4.2million people admitted to losing personal possessions while on the beach in 2023, at an additional loss of £457million.

With many people flocking to beaches over the summer holidays, the importance of keeping your personal possessions safe is key. 

For some beachgoing Britons, however, this doesn’t seem to be a priority with 1.4million leaving valuables both unattended and out of sight. 

Making waves: Criminals strike when valuable are left unattended on the beach, experts warn

Those aged 18 – 34 tend to be the least security conscious, with 6 per cent admitting to leaving their valuables unattended, compared to just 2 per cent of those aged over 55.

To protect themselves from theft while on the beach, some beachgoers are now getting creative with ways to reduce the risk of theft or loss. 

Wrapping items in clothes or a towel is the most popular method for half of us (48 per cent), while 15 per cent use secret hiding places such as fake sunscreen bottles.

A further 12 per cent have even been known to wrap their valuables up in a nappy – a ‘hack’ that has blown up on social media platforms this year. 

While 9 per cent admit to leaving items unattended, but in their sight, some Britons directly rely on strangers to look after their possessions at the beach, with 4 per cent asking lifeguards.

Some are very security conscious relying instead on locations they deem ‘safe’ when visiting the beach.

A fifth simply leave their valuables at home, 16 per cent in a car, and 6 per cent in a locker. 

More than one quarter ensure valuables are looked after by other group members when they are not around and 6 per cent even put their possessions in a dry bag so they can swim with them.

Sunglasses are the most common items lost or stolen from the beach with 1.6million Britons claiming to have lost a pair and 1.2million believing they had them stolen. 

Other common items that are lost or stolen include mobile phones, house keys and wallets.

One per cent of Brits also admit to losing their wedding or engagement rings at the beach.

When items were lost or stolen, almost half searched the surrounding area, 23 per cent filed a police report, 12 per cent filed an insurance claim and a third said they did nothing.

Maria Lawrence, of Churchill, said: ‘It would be preferable to leave your valuables at home, especially if you’re going to be in and out of the sea. 

‘But if you do need to take them onto the beach, it’s advised not to leave them unattended.

‘If you do need to take your possessions outside of the home, you should check this is covered within your policy. But great care is needed of them to prevent loss and theft.’