Thousands of stolen mobile phones were seized from robbers in the City of London this summer as part of police crackdown on gangs “profiting from people’s misery”.
A clampdown on phone-snatching across the Square Mile has resulted in eight arrests and 250 devices being recovered in the past week.
Officers have adopted “Al Capone tactics”, targeting smaller offences, such as the illegal modification of e-bikes, to disrupt wider criminal networks.
From one residential property address, officers seized ten phones, 40 sim cards and a folding knife with a locking mechanism.
The eight men, who are aged between 19 and 69, were all released on bail pending further investigations.
Since July, City of London Police has managed to obtain more than 3,000 convicted handsets, which are estimated to be worth up to £4 million, as part of its “Safer City Streets” campaign.
The force claims the clampdown will have disrupted all levels of organised criminality and prevented some items from being shipped abroad.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mandy Horsburgh, Head of Crime and Specialist Operations at the City of London Police, said: “The City of London Police are at the forefront of the fight back against all those involved in phone theft criminality, whether this is snatching phones from people’s hands, using distraction techniques, handing the stolen goods or trying to export devices out of the country.
“The net is closing in on those who profit from people’s misery when they have their phones stolen.”
Her comments come a week after phone snatcher Spencer Duarte, who was dubbed “Cinderella” after DNA was found on his lost shoe in Ludgate Hill, was jailed for 15 months.
She added: “We now have the enormous task of getting phones back to their owners: we’ve started that process and have received positive feedback.
“We also need the help of the public: simple actions such as taking up our free phone marking events taking place across the City , keeping your phone from view in crowded areas where possible and being aware of surroundings can help reduce theft.”
Ms Horsburgh advised Londoners to set up security features on phones, such as Medical ID, which gives police a “better chance of getting recovered phones back to victims”.
Tijs Broeke, chairman of the Police Authority Board, said: "I’m proud that the City of London Police is taking robust action against mobile phone theft, which causes real distress to victims.
“The recovery of thousands of stolen devices in recent months shows the determination and professionalism of our officers, sending a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in the Square Mile or beyond.
“But enforcement is only part of the solution: we encourage the public to protect their property through our phone-marking operations, and remain committed to working with partners and communities to keep the City one of the safest places to live, work and visit.”
