Mobile phone stolen every six minutes in London, says Met Police

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Almost 250 phones are stolen every day in London, according to Met Police data

Calls are being made for phone firms to help reduce thefts after police data revealed a mobile was stolen every six minutes in London last year.

The Met Police says 90,864 phones, or almost 250 a day, were stolen in 2022.

The London mayor and Met commissioner have urged mobile industry bosses to "design out" incentives to steal them.

Mobile UK, representing UK networks, said measures were in place to "combat" theft. Leading phone makers Apple and Samsung have been asked to comment.

In an open letter, mayor Sadiq Khan and Met chief Sir Mark Rowley said software designers must "develop solutions to make this crime less rewarding".

They urged mobile phone providers to work with City Hall and police as new figures show that mobile phone crime is driving the rise in robberies and thefts in the capital with 38% of all personal robberies last year involving a phone being stolen.

Statistics also show nearly 70% of all thefts in London last year related to mobile phones.


The mayor of London and Met Police chief joined a patrol working to tackle mobile phone robberies and theft in west London

"We've been really clear there are root causes of violence we cannot tackle alone.

"We need partners to step up to the plate and work alongside us to break this cycle of violence."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66442069