London’s Metropolitan Police have dismantled a gang responsible for smuggling around 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China and Hong Kong, covering nearly half of all thefts in London last year. The operation featured 300 officers raiding 30 homes, leading to 46 arrests and thousands of high-end devices recovered. Despite this progress, only 20% of stolen phones are returned to owners, highlighting the need for enhanced industry support, such as kill switch technology and improved device tracking.London’s Metropolitan Police dismantled a gang linked to 40,000 stolen mobile phones sent abroad, accounting for almost half the city’s thefts last year. Raids by 300 officers yielded 46 arrests and thousands of high-end devices, yet only 20% are reunited with owners—prompting calls for industry-led solutions like “kill switches” to disrupt phone crime networks.
Edward Kiledjian
@ekiledjian