West End star: My phone was stolen in London... I tracked it down to a market in China

"A West End star who had his phone stolen in London over a year ago has tracked it down to a market in China. Welsh musical theatre star John Owen-Jones, best known for his performances as The Phantom and Jean Valjean, revealed his phone was stolen in London in August last year. The 54-year-old is currently touring China with Unmasked: John Owen-Jones & Friends and has been documenting the tour for his 27.7k-strong social media audience."

"While in Shenzhen, the actor took an unexpected detour into one of the city's bustling second-hand mobile phone markets. In a video posted to social media this week, the star is seen browsing through rows of iPhones and Android devices on display. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images There, he says, he may have spotted his stolen purple iPhone 14. I had my iPhone stolen in London in August last year. I tracked it to Shenzhen, China. Now I'm here in Shenzhen, he wrote on X."

"Mr Owen-Jones is one of many locals and tourists, including well-known names such as Annabel Croft, Alexa Chung and Kate Garraway, who have been victims of the mobile phone theft crisis sweeping the city. The figures, collated from Freedom of Information requests by campaign group Crush Crime, revealed 1,300 more incidents than in 2023. However, despite the large number of thefts, just 169 suspects were charged - with seven handed a caution. Last year's total was equivalent to 13 phones being stolen every hour."

John Owen-Jones, a Welsh musical theatre star, reported his iPhone was stolen in London in August last year and has been touring China with a documented social media audience. While visiting Shenzhen he entered a second-hand mobile phone market and believes he may have spotted his stolen purple iPhone 14. Numerous locals and tourists, including public figures, have been affected by a surge in mobile phone thefts in the city. Freedom of Information figures show 1,300 more incidents than in 2023, with only 169 suspects charged and seven cautioned. London plans include increased council tax funding for crime measures and new policing tactics to tackle phone theft.

Read at www.standard.co.uk