Guardian

Met police disrupt suspected international smuggling ring in UKs largest phone theft crackdown

Independent

Phone snatching network behind one in four thefts in London targeted in police crackdown

The Metropolitan Police dismantled an international smuggling gang suspected of exporting up to 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China over 12 months, representing approximately 40% of all phones stolen in London during that period.

GB News

Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police dismantled an international smuggling gang suspected of exporting up to 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China over 12 months, representing approximately 40% of all phones stolen in London during that period.

Operation Echosteep began in December after officers discovered a box containing approximately 1,000 iPhones being shipped to Hong Kong at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport, with almost all devices confirmed as stolen.</span

The Times

Operation Echosteep began in December after officers discovered a box containing approximately 1,000 iPhones being shipped to Hong Kong at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport, with almost all devices confirmed as stolen.

Two men in their 30s, codenamed Heron and Seagull by police, were arrested in north-east London and charged with handling stolen goods after officers found phones in their car and approximately 2,000 more devices at linked properties.</span

BBC News

Two men in their 30s, codenamed Heron and Seagull by police, were arrested in north-east London and charged with handling stolen goods after officers found phones in their car and approximately 2,000 more devices at linked properties.

It was reported by the Met that thieves received up yo 300 pounds per stolen handset, while the devices were subsequently sold overseas for up to $5,000 each, with Apple products specifically targeted due to their international profitability.

It was reported by the Met that thieves received up yo 300 pounds per stolen handset, while the devices were subsequently sold overseas for up to $5,000 each, with Apple products specifically targeted due to their international profitability.

The operation resulted in 46 total arrests during two weeks of targeted activity, including 15 additional arrests for theft-related offenses and searches of 28 properties across London and Hertfordshire that recovered over 30 suspected devices.</span

The operation resulted in 46 total arrests during two weeks of targeted activity, including 15 additional arrests for theft-related offenses and searches of 28 properties across London and Hertfordshire that recovered over 30 suspected devices.

Data shows that, in 2024, over 117,000 phones were stolen in London. Meanwhile, national YouGov polling shows crime as the fourth most important issue facing the country (22%), behind health (30%), the economy (55%), and immigration (57%).

YouGov

Data shows that, in 2024, over 117,000 phones were stolen in London. Meanwhile, national YouGov polling shows crime as the fourth most important issue facing the country (22%), behind health (30%), the economy (55%), and immigration (57%).

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London's crime crisis is spiraling out of control with knife attacks up 10% and the Met catching only one in 170 phone thieves. The capital's West End shopping districts have become dangerous no-go zones where even middle-class families fear sending teenagers. Elite politicians living in leafy suburbs dismiss these concerns while ordinary Londoners face daily threats from brazen criminals who know they won't face consequences.

London's crime crisis is spiraling out of control with knife attacks up 10% and the Met catching only one in 170 phone thieves. The capital's West End shopping districts have become dangerous no-go zones where even middle-class families fear sending teenagers. Elite politicians living in leafy suburbs dismiss these concerns while ordinary Londoners face daily threats from brazen criminals who know they won't face consequences.</span

The Standard

The Standard #

When even Mayfair is a cesspit of crime, nowhere is safe anymore

Spiked

Spiked #

London is in trouble and theres no point denying it

London police just pulled off the UK's largest phone theft crackdown, dismantling international smuggling rings and arresting dozens of criminals. The Met has driven down robbery by 13% and theft by 14% while solving 163% more shoplifting cases than last year. Trust in police remains strong at 73% as officers focus resources on the crimes that matter most to communities.

London police just pulled off the UK's largest phone theft crackdown, dismantling international smuggling rings and arresting dozens of criminals. The Met has driven down robbery by 13% and theft by 14% while solving 163% more shoplifting cases than last year. Trust in police remains strong at 73% as officers focus resources on the crimes that matter most to communities.</span

Mark Rowley: police exist to protect the public, we are not social workers

Met dismantles suspected smuggling gang in UKs largest phone theft crackdown

Police Bust Gang That Smuggled 40,000 Stolen UK Phones

Crime & justice

Police

United Kingdom

London police just pulled off the UK's largest phone theft crackdown, dismantling international smuggling rings and arresting dozens of criminals. While more must be done, the Met has driven down robbery by 13% and theft by 14% while solving 163% more shoplifting cases than last year. Trust in police remains strong at 73% as officers focus resources on the crimes that matter most to communities.

London police just pulled off the UK's largest phone theft crackdown, dismantling international smuggling rings and arresting dozens of criminals. While more must be done, the Met has driven down robbery by 13% and theft by 14% while solving 163% more shoplifting cases than last year. Trust in police remains strong at 73% as officers focus resources on the crimes that matter most to communities.

London's crime crisis is spiraling out of control with knife attacks up 10% and the Met catching only one in 170 phone thieves. Even the capital's high-end districts have become dangerous no-go zones where even middle-class families fear sending teenagers. Elite politicians living in leafy suburbs dismiss these concerns while ordinary Londoners face daily threats from brazen criminals who know they won't face consequences.

London's crime crisis is spiraling out of control with knife attacks up 10% and the Met catching only one in 170 phone thieves. Even the capital's high-end districts have become dangerous no-go zones where even middle-class families fear sending teenagers. Elite politicians living in leafy suburbs dismiss these concerns while ordinary Londoners face daily threats from brazen criminals who know they won't face consequences.

There is a 50% chance that the England and Wales prison rate will be 129 per 100,000 five years after Labour's general election victory, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 50% chance that the England and Wales prison rate will be 129 per 100,000 five years after Labour's general election victory, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

UK: Police Bust International Phone Smuggling Ring

UK: Police Bust GangInternational ThatPhone SmuggledSmuggling 40,000 Stolen UK PhonesRing

The Spin

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