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EXPERTS URGE LAPTOP OWNERS TO TRY TO LOCATE IT USING MICROSOFT OR APPLE’S FIND MY DEVICE SERVICE, LOCK IT REMOTELY AND MARK IT AS LOST TO HELP SECURE YOUR DATA. 09:49, 31 May 2025 A warning
has been issued to anyone who owns a laptop as they're urged to follow certain steps if the device is lost or stolen. Experts urge laptop owners to try to locate it using Microsoft or
Apple’s Find My device service, lock it remotely and mark it as lost to help secure your data. The Guardian newspaper advises laptop owners "remove it as a trusted device for services
you use, including your Apple or Microsoft account, cloud accounts, shops or other browser-based apps" and "change your passwords for key accounts". Then, report the theft to
the police, contact your insurance provider if you have cover, and: "Tell your bank about any credit cards you may have details of stored on your laptop." READ MORE UK SET TO
SIZZLE IN 'GLORIOUS' 27C MINI-HEATWAVE WITH 33 COUNTIES IN ENGLAND HIT In 2022, a staggering 108,900 gadgets were reported stolen in London, 31,615 more than the previous year and
equivalent to 298 gadgets per day. The most common devices stolen were mobile phones (89,633), an increase of 43 per cent from 2021, and laptops (12,892), up 34 per cent compared to the same
time period. Article continues below Direct Line’s research also found a surge in the use of E-scooters and E-bikes in gadget theft, increasing 185 per cent year on year. Criminals used
E-bikes in 1,397 gadget thefts last year and E-scooters in 424 thefts. The use of weapons such as knives and other sharp instruments is also on the rise. Knives and sharp instruments were
used in 2,480 gadget thefts in 2022, a 6 per cent increase from 2,341 in 2021. Sadly, there were 180 injuries as a result of the use of these weapons, – a 35 per cent increase from the
previous year. Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance comments: “Londoners will rightly be concerned by the significant increase in gadget thefts last year. Not all thefts will be
reported, so in reality, this number is likely to be much higher. Criminals are also becoming increasingly brazen, using E-bikes and E-Scooters to make a quick getaway. Article continues
below “It’s important to ensure that your personal gadgets are covered by your home insurance when out and about, as well as at home. It’s worth checking if they are covered by your existing
policy and if not, you may want to consider acquiring additional personal possessions cover.”