Police chief gives deadline to Apple and Samsung over phone snatching
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has warned phone manufacturers and others that unless they take action to combat theft, he will ask the government to step in to protect victims of phone snatching in the UK.
Speaking at the Met’s first international Mobile Phone Crime Conference, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said that policing alone cannot combat what has now become the organised global crime industry of mobile phone theft.
Rowley said the Metropolitan Police in London have had continuous and extensive conversations with mobile phone manufacturers, networks, and technology companies over how to combat and disincentivise phone theft, but has now given an ultimatum to the industry for it to take significant steps to resolve the problem.
The Met has delivered a 12% reduction in mobile phone theft in London over the past year, but has highlighted the increasingly organised nature of the criminal activity and the need to ‘design out’ the ability to steal and resell these devices.
“We have stepped up enforcement across London and are delivering real reductions in crime,” Rowley said.
“But while stolen phones remain valuable, this market will continue. Only manufacturers and operating system providers can break this model at source.”
“Now is the time to move from discussion to delivery. Every delay means more people enduring the stress, disruption and fear of having their phone stolen,” he said.
Rowley told attendees that if by June this year the industry has not come forward with a solution to the problem, including concrete commitments to prevent stolen phones from being usable, then the Met will request the UK government to step in and legislate for this requirement.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan also recently flagged this issue, sending a warning to phone manufacturers last month that unless they step in with a design solution for this problem, the organised crime that is behind rampant phone snatching in the capital would persist.
“Mobile phone crime is a global menace – driving crime, violence, and the fear of crime in London and around the world. And for victims, the personal impact can be traumatic,” Khan said.
“We need a system‑wide prevention approach, focused on removing the economic value of stolen devices through technology, data‑sharing and industry action to build a safer London and world for everyone.”
“If we don’t see results by June, the Commissioner will have my full support in calling for new legislation,” Khan said.
