--- title: Seek mistletoe avoid a Christmas ‘hug’ date: 2018-08-09T13:34:00+01:00 author: Josh Mustafa canonical_url: "https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/seek-mistletoe-avoid-a-christmas-hug/" section: News --- Our Customers Love Us! Watch Insurance [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) [Home](/) › [Jewellery Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/) › [Watch Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) › [Seek mistletoe avoid a Christmas ‘hug’](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/seek-mistletoe-avoid-a-christmas-hug/) # Seek mistletoe avoid a Christmas ‘hug’ Christmas is always an expensive time of year. It’s when many of us like to indulge our loved ones with special gifts, and take great pleasure in the social traditions and festivities connected to the season. So it’s also when you’re more likely to feel the squeeze. Just make sure it’s not in the arms of a pseudo friendly ‘hugger mugger’. ### A hugger… what? The nickname ‘hugger mugger’ was first coined by Scotland Yard to refer to the growing number of criminals targeting people on nights out (particularly the worse for wear). They pretend to befriend their victims, often with a matey hug, before making off with their valuables; including wallets, but also expensive jewellery and high-end wristwatches. The friendly distraction technique means that many people do not realise what’s happened until afterwards. The trend was first detected in 2011 when a spate of more than 160 cases was reported in West London, with Mayfair being the worst affected. Since then, such attacks have continued, spreading to other cities around the country, including Manchester and Liverpool. ### Watch your watch ‘Hugger muggers’ are reported to often target people who are more smartly dressed. Earlier this year, a 24-year old student in Central London (Regents Street) lost consciousness whilst locked in the arms of his attacker, before having his [£5,000 Rolex Submariner snatched from his wrist](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2635323/Moment-hugger-mugger-squeezed-worse-wear-students-throat-lost-consciousness-stealing-5-000-Rolex.htmlhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2635323/Moment-hugger-mugger-squeezed-worse-wear-students-throat-lost-consciousness-stealing-5-000-Rolex.html). In 2012 the London Metropolitan [Police seized 250 luxury watches](http://www.itv.com/news/london/2012-06-01/police-seize-250-watches-in-pawnbroker-raid/), worth at least £1.5 million, in a raid on an unlicensed pawnbroker’s in Westminster. Many of the models recovered (including brands like Rolex, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Franck Muller and Breitling) were thought to be the result of recent ‘hugger-muggings’ carried out in the area. #### What to watch out for Christmas is, of course, the time when city centres reach their busiest, with parcel-laden shoppers by day, and with people enjoying a festive tipple (or two) by night. Whilst having fun, it’s also important to stay safe. Basic rules apply: always remain alert to your surroundings, and avoid travelling alone or coming into close contact with strangers. #### What else can you do? Small items such as jewellery and wristwatches are easy targets for street crime. If you do own expensive items such as these (or are planning on treating someone special to one this Christmas), ensuring that the possession is appropriately insured is important. Assetsure offers a range of standalone policies for [watches](/jewellery/watch-insurance/ "watch insurance") and [jewellery](/jewellery/jewellery-insurance/ "jewellery insurance") that provide specialist cover against damage, loss or theft (including by ‘hugger-muggers’). ## Latest News & Advice [![Servicing a Watch May Save Your Warranty](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/watch-service-news-banner.webp)](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/servicing-your-watch/) ### [Servicing a Watch May Save Your Warranty](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/servicing-your-watch/) Servicing your watch isn’t just about keeping it accurate. It helps protect the value of your watch, prevents small niggles turning into big and often costly problems, and may even save you extra steps with warranties or watch insurance down the line. In short, a little TLC goes a long way.... [![How Collectors Protect Watch Portfolios](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/watch-protection-news-banner.webp)](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/protecting-watch-portfolios/) ### [How Collectors Protect Watch Portfolios](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/protecting-watch-portfolios/) In this brief article, we’ll look at how collectors can safeguard their investments through careful storage, cataloguing, and specialist watch collection insurance.... [![Essential Watch Safety Guidance](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/watch-safety-news-banner.webp)](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/watch-safety-guide/) ### [Essential Watch Safety Guidance](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/watch-safety-guide/) Practical safety tips for keeping your watch secure whether you’re at home, out in public, or travelling and provides guidelines on preventing damage to your watch.... [More News](https://assetsure.com/news) ## Why choose our specialist insurance cover? ### Extensive Cover Our policy provides "All-risks" cover as standard. This means events such as loss or damage are covered with fewer exclusions and warranties. ### Worldwide Cover You are covered anywhere in the world for trips up to 60 days. ### Single watches or collections We can insure any make or model of watch. You can choose to insure a single watch or a collection ### Protect your no claims bonus This is a "stand-alone" policy, any claim will not affect any no claims bonus you may have under your home insurance ### Excellent friendly claims service We are here to help you if you need to make a claim. We will liaise between you and the insurers to help settle your claim as quickly as possible. ### Members of BIBA We are members of the British Insurance Brokers Association,the UK's leading general insurance intermediary organisation. 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