Met Police runs London-wide crackdown on thieves

Anna Dubuis Thursday, July 25, 2013
8:05 AM

A major crackdown on thieves who target people?s phones and other valuables is underway today across London.

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More than 7,500 officers are out in force across the capital?s 32 boroughs, kicking the day off with a series of dawn raids targeting suspected thieves and those handling stolen goods.

Officers will be using a range of tactics including carrying out street briefings, high visibility and plain clothed patrols in robbery hot spots, weapon sweeps, licensing checks and knife arch operations.

High visibility patrols will also be present in key transport hubs and shopping centres to promote crime prevention awareness among the public.

Police will be making spot checks and giving advice to pawn shops and other stores where thieves may try to sell on stolen goods.

Theft offences remain a major challenge in London, with personal theft up by 14.4 per cent in June 2012 to May 2013 compared to the year previously.

The majority (70 per cent) involves a mobile phone, with around 7,000 phones stolen per month.

New analysis shows victims of robbery are more likely to be male, whereas women are more prone to theft.

Young professionals aged between 20 and 30 out at entertainment spots are the most common profile for victims.

So far this year the Met Police has made 3,504 arrests for mobile phone-related crime and handling stolen goods.

Commander Stephen Watson commented: ?Crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have a huge impact on the people who are victims. By targeting those people responsible, plus the networks they use to sell on stolen property or trade for drugs, we aim to make our streets a hostile place for them to operate.?

Source: http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/met_police_runs_london_wide_crackdown_on_thieves_1_2297434

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