Key facts
- The Metropolitan Police is urging tech firms to legislate for measures that make stolen phones unusable.
- Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has asked the Home Secretary to introduce laws compelling phone companies to make stolen devices inoperable.
- Apple has implemented new safeguards for iPhones to make stolen devices harder to resell.
- The Met Police is sharing data with Apple to track stolen handsets and their reactivation status.
- Stolen phone thefts in London have decreased by 18% in the year ending May 2026.
The Metropolitan Police is pushing for new legislation that would compel technology companies to make stolen mobile phones unusable, thereby reducing the incentive for theft. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has formally requested that the Home Secretary introduce laws requiring phone companies to share data on stolen devices and implement features that render them inoperable.
Rowley stated that making stolen phones "unusable bricks" would cause their value to collapse, significantly decreasing the motivation for criminals to steal them. London is considered Europe's phone-snatching capital, with hundreds of devices stolen daily. The police force has begun collaborating with Apple, which has already introduced enhanced security measures for iPhones, making it harder for thieves to reset devices or change passwords needed for resale.
This initiative aims to combat a persistent crime wave. The Met Police has started sharing intelligence on stolen devices with Apple to track their movement and reactivation status, noting a decrease in reactivations due to improved security. Rowley indicated that this data sharing helps paint a global picture of where stolen phones end up, whether they are reactivated or broken down for parts, and if they are exported. A recent operation uncovered a gang that had sold 40,000 stolen phones to China, where they can command higher prices due to fewer restrictions.
Efforts to curb phone theft have included deploying e-bikes, drones, and live facial recognition technology. These measures have reportedly led to a significant reduction in phone thefts and robberies in London, with figures falling by over 14,000 in the year ending May 2026.