Ministers pledge to crack down on ‘snatch thefts’ in a summit with tech companies
The government has pledged to crack down on ‘snatch thefts’ after this criminality soared by more than 150 per cent in the last year.
An estimated 78,000 people had phones or bags grabbed from them on the streets, with policing intelligence suggesting that this is being driven by increased demand for second hand smartphones, both in the UK and overseas.
To tackle this challenge head on, tech companies and manufacturers will be called to attend a Home Office summit on the issue, looking at the new innovations that could take on the illegal market. This will build on anti-theft smartphone features that some tech firms have already rolled out to protect their customers.
The government will also task police chiefs to tackle this scourge in neighbourhood theft.
Operation Opal, the national police intelligence unit will launch an intelligence probe to gather urgent intel on the criminals who steal mobile phones, and where these devices end up. This will provide a stronger picture of the stolen mobile phone market, and identify what more needs to be done to tackle the problem.
Local police will also continue to surge police patrols in areas most at risk of serious violence, including robberies at knifepoint, with the government working with forces across the country to ensure that there is visible police presence in these hotspot areas to deter criminals and protect our communities.
New Home Office analysis commissioned by ministers concerned by growing reports of this issue has revealed:
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Personal Robbery, Commander Richard Smith, said: