The Metropolitan Police has launched a successful week-long operation targeting phone thieves in London, seizing 1,000 stolen mobile devices and arresting 230 suspects. The force focused on high-crime areas like the West End and Westminster, where nearly 40% of thefts occur. The Met Police estimates the illicit trade in stolen phones generates £50 million annually.
The Metropolitan Police (Met Police) has significantly intensified its efforts to combat smartphone theft , achieving notable successes in a recent week-long operation. During this coordinated campaign across London, the Met Police specifically targeted notorious hotspots for phone snatching, such as the West End and Westminster, where an alarmingly high percentage of thefts occur.
The Met Police estimates that the illicit trade in stolen phones generates a staggering £50 million annually, with devices being resold both domestically and internationally. This intensive crackdown resulted in the seizure of 1,000 stolen mobile phones and the arrest of 230 suspects. The police deployed increased patrols in high-risk areas like Westminster, leading to 17 arrests for robbery and theft following 42 stop and searches. In Hackney and Haringey, officers made 15 arrests linked to the operation, including a 15-year-old boy riding an illegal electric bike who was found in possession of a large knife and £1,000 in cash. Furthermore, two e-bike thieves involved in phone thefts were apprehended and subsequently sentenced to a combined five years in prison.In addition to these on-the-ground activities, the Met Police executed a warrant at a second-hand phone shop suspected of dealing in stolen devices. Commander Owain Richards, who is spearheading the Met's response to phone thefts, emphasized the scale of the problem, stating: 'We are seeing phone thefts on an industrial scale, fuelled by criminals making millions by being able to easily sell on stolen devices either here or abroad.' He highlighted the progress made in apprehending perpetrators and safeguarding citizens from becoming victims of phone theft. However, Commander Richards stressed the need for collaboration with industry partners and government agencies to effectively combat the organized criminal networks driving this lucrative trade. He specifically called upon tech companies to enhance the security measures on their devices, making it significantly more difficult for stolen phones to be resold.Kaya Comer-Schwartz, London's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, reported a 13% decrease in personal robbery compared to the same period last year. This positive development underscores the impact of the Met Police's dedicated efforts to reduce crime in the capital. Later on Thursday, the Home Secretary will convene a summit with law enforcement bodies to focus specifically on addressing the issue of smartphone thefts. The Met Police intends to raise concerns regarding the need for improved security measures on devices, urging tech companies to implement changes that would render stolen phones unusable in the secondary market
SMARTPHONE THEFT LONDON POLICE MET POLICE CRIMINALITY SECURITY
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