Apple and Met Police Clash Over Phone Theft Epidemic

Strategic Insights -

A heated dispute has erupted between Apple and the London Metropolitan Police Service over the surge in phone thefts in the UK. The Met Police has accused Apple of failing to use a national database of stolen devices, which would prevent stolen iPhones from being traded in for new devices. Apple has responded by highlighting its efforts to combat phone theft, including a stolen device protection feature and a setting that locks iPhones to the original owner's Apple account.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Met Police reported over 80,000 phone thefts in London last year, up from 64,000 the prior year, with more than three quarters of stolen devices ending up abroad.
  • Apple allows people to trade in old iPhones and get credit towards new devices, which has been criticized by the Met Police as a system that can be exploited by thieves.
  • Apple has access to the National Mobile Phone Register (NMPR), a database of stolen devices, but claims it does not check for theft or take action on traded-in devices.
  • The Met Police has estimated the cost of replacing stolen phones, borne by users and their insurers, at £50m in 2024.
  • Apple has introduced systems to crack down on phone thieves, including a setting that blocks criminals from wiping phones even when they have learned a phone's passcode.
  • Police believe up to three quarters of stolen phones are moved abroad, with 28pc ending up in China or Hong Kong and many in Algeria.
  • Mobile networks have accused Apple of "undermining" efforts to stop phone thefts from retailers by refusing to "brick" devices that are stolen from operators' own stores.
  • Around 80pc of smartphones reported as stolen to the Met Police are iPhones.

Statistics:

  • 80,000+ phone thefts reported in London last year.
  • 64,000 phone thefts reported in London the previous year.
  • 80pc of smartphones reported as stolen to the Met Police are iPhones.
  • £50m estimated cost of replacing stolen phones in 2024.
  • 28pc of phone thefts snatched from a user's hand, pocket, or bag.
  • 22pc of phone thefts occurred after the device was left unattended.
  • 28pc of phone thefts ended up in China or Hong Kong.

Sources:

  • "MPs told that Apple fails to stop stolen phones from being traded in" (The Met Police, no date).
  • "Apple iPhones driving London's phone theft epidemic, say police" (The Telegraph, no date).
  • "Apple urges Met Police to focus on traditional policing amid phone theft row" (The Guardian, no date).
  • "Stolen phone thefts in London at record high" (The Evening Standard, no date).
  • "Met Police: Apple and other tech giants failing to stop stolen phones from being traded in" (The Independent, no date).