Wi-Fi 'hotspots' for web access and crime?

While Wi-Fi access is becoming almost ubiquitous it seems there are still doubts in users' minds about where they would feel safe getting out their laptop.

Locations such as Starbucks are proving popular but more open public places such as train stations are raising concerns about the threat of laptop thefts.

A survey of silicon.com readers has revealed that 24 per cent of respondents would feel least safe using their laptop at a train station, when presented with a number of popular hotspot locations.

Respondents were most confident using their laptops at a Starbucks Coffee shop, where just 3.7 per cent said they would feel least safe, while football stadiums (21.8 per cent), McDonalds (15.7 per cent) and pavement cafes (14.5 per cent) all seem to have some way to go to convince customers they are safe to start surfing the web wirelessly.

While the threat would appear to be linked in part to the proximity, movement and general bustle of other people, airports seem to inspire a lot of confidence - with only 8.1 per cent of respondents saying it was the location where they would feel least safe using their laptop. This is likely due the increased security measures in place and the likelihood of fewer opportunist thieves than there may be walking the streets or hanging out at fast food restaurants - especially once through passport control.

Perception of fellow customers also plays a part. If an establishment is associated with 'shady' characters it's unlikely to breed confidence. This is perhaps most applicable to people's concerns about McDonald's and pubs.

One US reader, commenting on McDonald's Wi-Fi trials, expressed concerns that his laptop would get stolen, especially if he left his seat for a second to "order food, go to the restroom or get more ketchup".

Although it is a growing area of Wi-Fi development the good old British boozer is also not filling users with confidence. Despite the Dutch courage they'll find there, 12.3 per cent of respondents said they would feel least safe using their laptop in the pub.

Given many pubs display signs warning that 'thieves operate in this area' it's perhaps understandable that many people aren't confident sitting with a £1,000 piece of kit on display.

Starbucks on the other hand feels no need to warn customers about the threat of theft and offers no advice to customers about using their laptops safely, according to Cathy Heseltine, marketing director, Starbucks Coffee UK.

And for now it seems to be working, with the reaction among customers to wireless internet access leading to further rollouts across the chain's shops.

"There has been a strong customer response to the service, which has prompted the expansion of the scheme to include 225 Starbucks locations around the UK," said Heseltine.

"For Starbucks, offering Wi-Fi is a new way of enhancing and evolving the in-store experience for our customers."

Heseltine declined to answer when asked whether Starbucks' customers are less likely to steal a fellow customer's laptop because if they can afford Starbucks' coffee they can almost certainly afford their own laptop.