SW Railway warning to passengers as mobile phone losses climb

South Western Railway (SWR) is reminding customers to keep track of their mobile phones, as new data reveals that at least five phones have been lost on its network every day in the past year.

In total, more than 1,750 phones have been logged by SWR’s lost property team since September 22, 2023. In the same period, over 600 earphones have also been logged. SWR lines run through South London to Waterloo.

However, the true number of lost devices is likely to be significantly higher, as not all lost property is handed in and not all customers report their devices as missing. The levels are higher than ever before, they say.

Losing a mobile phone can also be expensive. SWR estimates that the value of phones lost on its network in the past year may well exceed £1 million.

Phones are one of the most frequently lost items on the SWR network, along with clothing, bags, wallets and glasses. SWR advises customers to take some time before they reach their destination to ensure they have all their belongings, including checking all their pockets as well as on and under their seat.

Out of the over 1,750 phones handed into lost property since last year, just fewer than 1,000 have been successfully returned to their owners, leaving a sizeable minority unclaimed.

Pictured top: Lost phones on trains piled high at Waterloo (Picture: SW Railway)