31
Jul
2013
By Calvin at 08:25 GMT, 12 years ago
A major crackdown on thieves who target the public's phones and other valuables is underway across the capital.
More than 7,500 officers are out in force across London's 32 boroughs, as the MPS continues to focus efforts to drive down personal theft offences and promote crime prevention awareness amongst the public.
Dawn raids targeting suspected thieves and those handling stolen goods kicked off a day of pre planned activity involving specialist units including the Safer
Transport, Traffic, Dogs, the Marine Policing Unit and Specialist Crime. So far, there have been 209 arrests for various offences.
Across London, high visibility patrols are taking place in key areas to let Londoners know what the MPS is doing to tackle crimes that cause people the most concern.
Officers will be using a range of tactics including carrying out street briefings, high visibility and plain clothes patrols in robbery hot spots, weapon sweeps, licensing checks, knife arch operations and crime prevention events at transport hubs and shopping centres, with officers advising the public about how to keep their valuables safe and a reminder to register their IMEI number.
Officers will also be making spot checks and giving advice to pawn shops and other stores where thieves may try to sell on stolen goods.
Whilst total crime in London continues to fall and personal robbery is down, 'theft offences' remain a challenge, with personal theft up by 14.4% comparing June 2011- May 12 with June 2012-May 2013.
The overall increase has been due to London experiencing a surge in mobile phone theft over the past year which increases the figures for personal theft, something we are aware other major cities are now experiencing and something which we have succeeded in turning around in the last few months.
Circa 70% of all theft person involves a mobile phone [circa 80 per cent of these involve an iPhone], with around 7,000 phones stolen per month (in personal robbery, theft person and other theft).
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It’s great news that the Met are pursuing street thieves, but this is one crime we can all help prevent by simply being more careful with our stuff.
So, please don’t walk down the street with your wallet in your back pocket, or your handbag undone; with expensive jewellery on show or with mobile in hand. Don’t stand out from the crowd and become the target for thieves. You know it makes sense.
Story Source Metropolitan Police: http://content.met.police.uk/News/Crackdown-on-thieves-across-London/1400018858116/1257246745756
Mobile Phone advice: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/property-identification--marking-tagging-and-tracking/597/mobile-phones/
National Mobile Phone Crime Unit http://www.nmpcu.police.uk/
