According to Home Office analysis of statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, in the year preceding March 2024, an estimated 78,000 people, or over 200 people every day, had their phones or bags taken.
The number of occurrences of “snatch thefts” in the same period ending in March 2023 is more than double that amount.
According to police intelligence, the surge is probably the result of increased demand both domestically and internationally for used phones.
Nevertheless, just 0.8% of “theft from the person” cases resulted in charges, despite the sharp increase in thefts.
In the meantime, 81.9% of police inquiries ended before a suspect was identified.
The government has declared that it will address this rapidly expanding illegal market.In addition, Operation Opal, the national police intelligence unit, will begin an investigation to learn more about the thieves of the phones and their final destinations. The government also intends to request additional assistance from police chiefs in addressing the problem.
The Home Office claimed that doing this will improve our understanding of the market for stolen mobile phones.
“These figures are troubling, and the government is determined to do whatever’s necessary to protect people who have the right to walk the streets without fear of robbery,” said Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of Policing.
