The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has called on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to introduce legislation compelling all phone manufacturers to make stolen devices unusable bricks. This measure aims to diminish their resale value and curb thefts.
London: Europe's Phone-Snatching Hub
London is widely regarded as the phone-snatching capital of Europe, with between 200 and 300 devices stolen daily. The city accounts for up to three-quarters of all mobile phone thefts in England and Wales. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency of the Met's proposal.
Apple's Security Enhancements
Apple has already rolled out an update for iPhones, providing extra safeguards for devices with the latest operating system. Sensitive actions such as viewing passwords, Apple Card details, or erasing the phone now require Face ID or Touch ID. This makes it harder for criminals to return devices to factory settings or change passwords, which are necessary steps to resell stolen phones.
Data Sharing to Track Stolen Phones
Rowley revealed that the Met has begun sharing data with Apple to closely monitor whether stolen handsets are reconnected to phone networks after theft. This collaboration will facilitate tracking and help police understand the fate of stolen devices. The Commissioner stated, 'If we share the data we have on the phone stolen, with the data they have on things like reactivations and future uses of phones, we can get a global picture of phones being stolen, are they being reactivated, are they being broken down for parts, where they’re being exported to in the world.'
Impact of Security Improvements
Rowley noted that a few months ago, the majority of stolen phones were being reactivated due to security flaws. Now, thanks to improvements, only a minority are reactivated, reducing criminal profits. He added, 'That will help bring down the crime further.'
Legislative Push
The Met has formally written to the Home Secretary, requesting legislation that would require phone companies to publish data on stolen devices and their reconnection status, and to enforce measures that render stolen phones unusable. Phones snatched in London are often sold globally; one recent police operation uncovered a gang that had sold 40,000 stolen phones to China, where they can fetch higher prices due to fewer government restrictions.
Met's Anti-Theft Measures
After facing intense criticism for perceived inaction on phone theft, the Met has deployed e-bikes, drones, and live facial recognition technology. A specialised live control room identifies thieves on e-bikes using drone footage livestreamed to officers. These efforts have paid off: between June 2025 and May 2026, thefts and robberies involving phones fell by 14,000, an 18% reduction from the previous year. In the first five months of this year, there were 6,700 fewer incidents, a drop of 20.6%.
Mayor's Frustration
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has previously voiced frustration with phone companies and operators, questioning why they cannot implement a kill switch to prevent stolen phones from being used or access to cloud services to prevent resets and reuse.
