150% rise in phone thefts in UK, government to target ‘snatch thefts’

London: The government has pledged to combat the surge in ‘snatch thefts,’ which have increased by more than 150% in the past year. An estimated 78,000 individuals had their phones or bags stolen on the streets, driven by a rising demand for second-hand smartphones in the UK and overseas.

To address the issue, a Home Office summit will bring together tech companies to explore innovative solutions, such as anti-theft smartphone features.

Police chiefs have been tasked with intensifying efforts to tackle neighbourhood thefts, while Operation Opal, the national police intelligence unit, will launch an investigation into mobile phone theft networks.

Local police patrols will also increase in high-risk areas, aiming to deter crimes like knifepoint robberies.

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said that the government’s commitment to curbing these crimes, urging tech firms to disable stolen phones quickly to prevent resale.

Commander Richard Smith of the National Police Chiefs’ Council said that the lasting trauma caused by personal robberies and called for a combined effort between law enforcement and the tech industry to tackle this growing issue.