NEWS: Concertgoers have been warned to stay alert after a spike in phone thefts at Newcastle Arena

Concertgoers have been warned to stay alert after a spike in phone thefts at a Newcastle Arena gig.

Several people reported losing their phones during The Offspring concert at the Utilita Arena on November 15. One attendee, Paul Blackbourn, tracked his £1,400 iPhone 17 Pro Max using ‘Find my iPhone’, only to see it was turned off minutes after leaving the venue.

He said he wasn’t alone—many fans were searching the floor and queuing at lost property, realising their phones had been stolen. Thefts appeared to target those in the standing area near the stage.

The Arena confirmed an “unusually high number of missing phones” were reported after the gig and urged affected customers to contact police. They also advised visitors to stay aware of their surroundings and keep valuables secure.

Calls are now growing for venues to include phone theft warnings in pre-event communications.