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2w ago

London Mobile Phone Thefts Reach Record 81,256 Incidents

Targeted e-bike patrols have provided only temporary relief, reflecting the adaptive tactics of gangs exploiting tourist hotspots.

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Thieves on motorbikes, e-bikes or scooters often grab phones from pedestrians before making a rapid getaway
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Overview

  • Metropolitan Police figures show 81,256 mobile thefts in London last year and almost 231,000 over the past four years, marking a three-fold rise since 2021.
  • One-third of all offences are concentrated in the West End and St James’s, with 217 suburbs also reporting rising theft levels.
  • Police warn that organised e-bike gangs sell stolen phones overseas or strip them for parts in a £50 million-a-year black-market trade.
  • Undercover operations and high-speed patrols briefly halved thefts in April and May, but offences have since rebounded to record highs.
  • Manufacturers including Apple, Google and Samsung are exploring remote-wipe and kill-switch features as officers urge the public to stay on well-lit routes and conceal valuables.