The operation began last Christmas Eve when a theft victim tracked their stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport. Detectives discovered the phone inside a shipment box containing 895 other devices, almost all confirmed stolen. The phones were being shipped to Hong Kong, triggering an extensive investigation that led to the uncovering of a major international smuggling ring.<\/p>\n
Officers traced two suspects and intercepted their vehicle in a dramatic roadside operation. Inside, they found dozens of foil-wrapped phones, a method used to evade detection by signal scanners.<\/p>\n
Both suspects \u2014 Afghan nationals in their 30s \u2014 were charged with conspiracy to receive stolen goods and conceal criminal property. A 29-year-old Indian national was later charged with the same offenses.<\/p>\n
Last week, police arrested 15 additional suspects, including a Bulgarian woman, during early-morning raids across London. Thirty more stolen phones were recovered.<\/p>\n
The number of phones stolen in London has nearly tripled in four years \u2014 from 28,609 in 2020 to 80,588 in 2024.<\/p>\n
According to police, three-quarters of all stolen phones in the UK are now taken in the capital.<\/p>\n
Criminals specifically target Apple devices, which can sell for up to $4,000 each in China, compared to about \u00a3300 paid to street thieves in London<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cCriminals now see phones as more profitable than drugs\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Policing Minister Sarah Jones said that organized crime groups are shifting from drug trafficking to phone theft because it\u2019s easier and more lucrative:<\/p>\n \u201cSome criminals have stopped dealing drugs and moved into the phone business because it\u2019s more profitable.\u201d<\/p>\n Victims have criticized the police for not acting swiftly, even when provided with live phone locations via Apple\u2019s Find My iPhone.<\/p>\n Natalie Mitchel, whose phone was stolen on Oxford Street, told the BBC:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really unnerving. I think the Met Police should be doing a lot more \u2014 maybe with more CCTV or undercover officers to tackle this.\u201d<\/p>\n The Metropolitan Police say phone theft and robbery have dropped 14% and 13% respectively in 2025, thanks to new patrol teams and social media awareness campaigns.<\/p>\n However, the force faces a \u00a3260 million budget deficit and expects to lose nearly 2,000 officers next year, even as London\u2019s phone theft epidemic continues.Victims demand stronger police action<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Budget cuts amid rising theft<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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