The public deserves better - Met phone theft lead

Cdr Andy Featherstone, newly appointed to lead the Metropolitan Police's initiative against phone theft, recognizes that the force's current efforts have fallen short. Statistics indicate that only 1% of phone thefts in London result in charges, a stark contrast to the 11% for robberies. London Assembly member Neil Garratt describes the situation as an "epidemic," calling for more stringent measures to combat the crime. Recently, the Met conducted a significant operation that led to 18 arrests and the seizure of 2,000 stolen phones, targeting organized crime groups responsible for approximately 40% of thefts. Featherstone asserts that the involvement of the serious crime directorate in these operations underscores the seriousness with which the police are approaching phone theft.

He emphasizes that the public deserves a better response to this issue, stating, "The bottom line is that isn't good enough. " The article also features a victim, Christian D'ippolito, who highlights the extensive personal and financial impact of phone theft. He notes that thieves often exploit the valuable information beyond the device itself, leading to significant losses.