Metropolitan Police Commissioner Urges Legislation Against Stolen Phone Reactivation
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has pressed the Home Secretary for legislation to mandate that phone manufacturers publish data on stolen devices and implement measures that would make handsets effectively unusable after theft. This initiative aims to diminish the profitability of phone theft, a prevalent crime in London.
The force disclosed that it had initiated data sharing with Apple to construct a "global picture" concerning the fate of stolen handsets, including their potential reconnection to networks. Sir Mark stated that if stolen phones cannot be reactivated, their market value collapses, thereby removing the incentive for theft.
Working with Apple, Sir Mark noted a decrease in the reactivation rate of stolen phones compared to previous months, suggesting a more challenging environment for criminal profit. This follows an ultimatum issued by the Met Police chief in March, urging firms to adopt security measures that would reduce the desirability of stolen phones for resale and reuse.
London reports some of the highest rates of personal robbery and theft across England and Wales. The international trade in stolen phones represents millions of USD, with devices stolen in London commanding higher prices in countries like China due to fewer governmental restrictions on their use. Despite this, the Met reports a 18% reduction in phone thefts, amounting to 14,000 fewer incidents, between June 2025 and May 2026 compared to the preceding year. Westminster, a borough particularly affected, has seen a 45.8% reduction this year.
Kate Adams, Apple's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, commented on the company's commitment to user, device, and data security, emphasising features designed to deter criminals. Samsung and Google are also reportedly implementing security enhancements to address the issue.
