London's Metropolitan Police initiated a targeted operation to disrupt phone theft and trafficking, making several arrests across key areas. Their efforts included increased patrols and the use of phone-tracking data against the trade that amounts to £50 million a year. A focus on collaboration with tech companies and government is emphasized to enhance security measures on smartphones. Key stakeholders, including the Home Secretary, are engaging in discussions to address this systemic issue, with a notable commitment to curtailing the organized crime behind stolen phone sales.
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.
But we need help from partners and industry to do more. That is why we're working with other agencies and government to tackle the organised criminality driving this trade.
Increased patrols in Westminster saw 17 arrests for robbery and theft, following 42 stop and searches.
One of the items that will be raised by the Met's Deputy Commissioner, Dame Lynne Owens, will be strengthening security on phones so stolen devices cannot be easily resold.
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