One iPhone led police to gang suspected of sending up to 40,000 stolen UK phones to China

The Metropolitan Police recently dismantled a gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China, arresting 18 individuals during the operation. This effort represents the largest crackdown on phone thefts in the UK to date, with over 2,000 stolen devices recovered. The investigation was initiated after a victim traced their stolen iPhone to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport, where police discovered nearly 900 phones. Officers later intercepted a vehicle carrying dozens of stolen phones, leading to further arrests. The gang is believed to have targeted Apple products due to their profitability, with stolen devices fetching up to £4,000 each in China.

The number of phones stolen in London has surged from 28,609 in 2020 to 80,588 in 2024, highlighting a growing trend in mobile phone theft. According to the Office for National Statistics, theft from the person has risen by 15% across England and Wales, reaching a peak not seen since 2003. The increasing demand for second-hand phones has driven this rise in thefts, prompting law enforcement to intensify their efforts.