The police in London are urging major smartphone manufacturers to help tackle what has become the city’s biggest street crime: mobile phone theft. Authorities have asked tech giants like Apple, Samsung and Google to strengthen security features on their devices to make stolen phones harder to use or sell.

Rising phone theft pushes police to seek tech solutions

The city’s police say mobile phone theft has grown into a serious public safety concern. Criminals often target pedestrians in busy areas, snatching phones directly from their hands before escaping quickly on bikes or scooters.

Officials believe stronger technology from smartphone makers could significantly reduce the problem. They want companies to enhance security systems that allow phones to be remotely locked, tracked or disabled if stolen. Such measures would make the devices less valuable on the black market and discourage thieves from targeting them. Authorities argue that while police enforcement is important, device-level protections created by manufacturers could play a major role in reducing theft. If stolen phones become impossible to use or resell, the incentive for criminals would drop sharply.

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Call for tougher anti-theft features on smartphones

Police officials are asking smartphone companies to introduce additional protections that go beyond existing passcodes and biometric locks. These could include stronger tracking tools, irreversible “stolen mode” features and tighter control over device components, making it difficult for thieves to reuse parts.

According to law enforcement authorities, tens of thousands of phones are stolen in London every year, making phone theft one of the most common crimes in the city. Many of these devices end up being resold internationally through organised criminal networks. Police leaders have also warned that if technology companies fail to act, governments may consider introducing new laws requiring manufacturers to include stronger anti-theft systems in their devices.

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The push highlights a growing global debate about the role of technology companies in preventing crime. As smartphones become more valuable and essential to everyday life, law enforcement agencies increasingly see tech companies as key partners in tackling digital-age crimes like phone theft.