Phone companies are set to be summoned by the Home Office to discuss strategies for addressing the alarming rise in snatch thefts, which have more than doubled across England and Wales over the past year.
Government data reveals that between March 2023 and March 2024, approximately 78,000 individuals had their phones or bags stolen on the street, a sharp increase from 31,000 cases in the previous year.
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Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson emphasized the government’s push for phone manufacturers to implement features that would allow stolen phones to be permanently disabled, rendering them unsellable on the second-hand market.
In addition, police forces will be directed to enhance their efforts in gathering intelligence on the identities of those responsible for these thefts and the destinations of the stolen devices.
The government attributes the surge in thefts to a growing demand for second-hand phones, both domestically and internationally. In response, the Home Office is organizing a summit where tech companies and phone manufacturers will be urged to explore new technologies and methods to prevent the illegal trade of stolen phones.
The government intends to expand on the anti-theft features already embedded in many smartphones.
Dame Diana reiterated the government’s commitment to disrupting the criminal networks behind these thefts. “This administration is resolute in its mission to curb snatch thefts, knife-enabled robberies, and other crimes that undermine public safety in our communities. We’re focused on bolstering neighbourhood policing with thousands more uniformed officers,” she stated.
“It’s imperative that phone companies ensure stolen devices can be swiftly and permanently disabled, and we’ll be meeting with them soon to discuss additional measures needed to achieve this.”
Recent statistics paint a concerning picture: in the year ending March 2024, only 0.8% of the 78,000 recorded thefts led to a charge, and nearly 82% of investigations were closed without identifying a suspect.
Efforts to combat this crime wave will include intensified police patrols in areas most vulnerable to serious violence, such as knifepoint robberies.
Commander Richard Smith of the National Police Chiefs’ Council acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating that while police forces continue to target habitual offenders, “we cannot arrest our way out of this problem.”
He urged manufacturers and the tech industry to play a crucial role in curbing criminals’ ability to profit from reselling stolen phones.
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