Police have stepped up efforts to tackle the growing problem of mobile phone theft, calling on technology companies to make stolen devices harder to reset, reactivate and resell.
The Metropolitan Police has announced a new data-sharing agreement with Apple aimed at building a clearer picture of what happens to stolen phones after they are taken, including whether they are later reconnected to mobile networks.
Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said reducing the ability of criminals to reuse stolen devices could significantly reduce the incentive to steal them in the first place.
According to the force, many stolen phones are currently exported overseas and sold on after being reset using illicit software. These devices can command high prices in international markets, making phone theft an attractive crime for organised gangs.
Sir Mark said recent security improvements appear to be making a difference. Data shared with Apple suggests that only a minority of recently stolen phones are now being successfully reactivated, compared with previous months.
Apple has recently strengthened its security measures through its Stolen Device Protection feature, which is now enabled by default on compatible iPhones. The system introduces additional security checks when a device is away from familiar locations such as a user’s home or workplace.
The feature is designed to prevent thieves from quickly changing passwords, biometric settings or account details, while also giving owners valuable time to mark their device as lost and secure their personal data.
The Met and Apple will now share information to help identify criminal trends and determine whether further security improvements are needed.
Police believe making stolen phones harder to reset and reuse could have a significant impact on theft levels.
The announcement follows calls made earlier this year by the Met for phone manufacturers and network providers to take stronger action against device theft.
The Home Office has also highlighted new powers that allow police to search properties without a warrant in certain circumstances where stolen electronic devices have been digitally located.
Phone theft remains a major issue across the country with organised criminal networks targeting busy streets, transport hubs and tourist areas. The international market for stolen smartphones is estimated to be worth millions of pounds each year.
However, the Met says progress is being made. Figures released by the force show that thefts involving mobile phones fell by around 14,000 between June 2025 and May 2026, representing an 18 per cent reduction compared with the previous year.
In Westminster, one of the areas hardest hit by phone theft, incidents have fallen by almost 46 per cent so far this year.
Alongside improvements in phone security, police have increased the use of drones, e-bikes and live facial recognition technology to identify and track offenders.
The Met has previously dismantled an international criminal network suspected of exporting tens of thousands of stolen mobile phones from the UK to China. Investigators believe such gangs may have been responsible for a significant proportion of phone thefts in the capital.
What To Do If Your Phone Is Stolen
If your mobile phone is stolen, acting quickly can help protect your personal information and improve the chances of recovering the device.
Experts recommend:
• Use another device to log into your account immediately and mark the phone as lost.
• For iPhones, sign in to Find My iPhone through your Apple account.
• For Android devices, use Google’s Find My Device service.
• Contact your mobile network provider and ask them to block the SIM card.
• Change important passwords, particularly for email, banking and social media accounts.
• Report the theft to the police and obtain a crime reference number.
• Contact your insurer if the phone is covered.
Perhaps most importantly, make a note of your phone’s IMEI number before anything happens. This unique identification number can help networks block a stolen handset and may assist police investigations.
To find your IMEI, dial *#06# on your phone and store the number somewhere safe, separate from the device itself.
As phone theft continues to evolve into a lucrative international criminal enterprise, police hope stronger security measures and closer cooperation with technology companies will make stolen devices increasingly worthless, reducing both the rewards for thieves and the risk to the public.
