Phone makers are being urged by the Metropolitan Police to fix security problems fueling thefts in the capital.

New analysis published by the Met has found that thousands of phones stolen from the streets of London are being shipped overseas.

New data* obtained by the Met shows that:

• Of a sample of more than 4,000 iPhones stolen last year whose MET details were provided to Apple, 70% had Activation Lock enabled and 84% were subsequently connected to Apple’s network.
• 80% of them were reconnected abroad, with the largest proportion being in Algeria, followed by China and even Nigeria, Russia and Brazil.

The Met is working hard to tackle phone theft and requires Apple and Google to block devices reported by users as lost or stolen from reconnecting internationally to their cloud services, preventing re-use anywhere in the world and therefore deterring thieves. .

It also wants manufacturers to make a device’s IMEI number visible when the device is locked, to make it easier to identify stolen devices and return them to their owners.

Commander Owain Richards, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “We are determined to fight the scourge of phone theft. We are increasing patrols in hotspot areas and using technology to identify the perpetrators and will do everything we can to bring them to justice.

“However, this new data shows that thousands of phones stolen in London are being used abroad, highlighting a clear flaw that allows organized crime to make millions from thefts in the capital. That’s why we need the industry to step up and play their part by increasing security on these devices.”

As shoppers flock to London for the Black Friday sales, the Met is offering phone users advice on what they can do to protect themselves from theft.

People should keep a close eye on their belongings when in crowded areas, keep their phones in a zippered pocket, and take simple steps to protect themselves from other fraud if their device is stolen:

• Enable your device’s security features, including “Find my phone” and stolen device protection in “settings”
• Make sure they have a strong password and two-factor authentication
• Disable message previews so thieves can’t see any reset messages or passcodes when phones are locked
• Write down and store your phone’s IMEI number safely. This can be found by dialing *#06# from an unlocked device.
• If your phone is lost or stolen, notify Apple or Google through their device finder services.

The MET is also reminding victims that they should report their phone as stolen as soon as possible to maximize the chance of catching the perpetrator, too often thefts are reported hours or days later.

In the coming weeks, Met officers will meet phone industry leaders to renew their call to step up efforts to tackle theft.

*Met analysis of 4,177 stolen Apple phones showing post-crime activity. This is the Met’s own analysis following thefts reported to the service. The Met is working with Apple to better understand the data.