London's Metropolitan Police announced on October 7 that they had arrested 46 people and confiscated 2,000 stolen phones. The anti-smuggling operation dismantled a gang responsible for shipping 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China in 2024 alone. Half of all iPhones stolen in London were shipped by this gang.
The almost year-long investigation started on Christmas Eve 2024 when a person who had his phone stolen was able to locate it in a depot near Heathrow Airport. Police intervened and discovered it was in a box along with almost 1,000 other phones about to be shipped to Hong Kong. That was the starting point of the operation that eventually dismantled the entire international smuggling organization.
Police discovered that smugglers were paying up to US$370 to street thieves for every device. They then sold the phones in China for a market value of up to $4,900, as they were potentially censorship-free.
Phone theft in London has increased sharply in the last four years: up from 28,609 registered cases in 2020 to 80,588 in 2024. This now accounts for three-quarters of all phones stolen in the UK.
With theft on the rise, it is important to consider the possibility that a phone, which contains a lot of sensitive information, can be stolen.It can be a stressful experience, but taking quick, thoughtful action can help you regain control. Whether it's protecting your personal information, tracking the device, or ensuring you're covered by insurance, knowing what steps to take can restore your peace of mind. Click on to discover practical and effective steps to take when the worst happens.