On Monday, Metropolitan Police Officers Raid Multiple Addresses, Arrest Four Men, Seize 100 Stolen Phones, and Recover Thousands in Assets and Cash Linked to Fraudulent Activity...CONTINUE READING>>>
Officers from the proactive crime team in Lambeth and Southwark ran a diligent operation to crack down on personal robbery and theft.
According to the Met police, officers used tracking data provided by the victims to narrow down the locations of the stolen devices and the addresses to where they were held.
Working in collaboration with the British Transport Police, UK Border Agency, and the Met’s dog unit, officers raided three addresses and discovered mobile phones and evidence of multiple false identities which were used to set up fake bank accounts.
“Robberies have a significant impact on victims, leaving them with long-term implications such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. By dismantling and disrupting organised gangs and networks through swift police action we aim to see a reduction in the number of phone thefts and robberies across London,” the Met Police said.
Ciara Larkin-Smith from Central South Command said the police want today’s arrests to be a deterrent to phone thefts and robberies across London and that they would continue to work with their partners and communities to ensure that individuals that commit these crimes were brought to justice.
According to her, police investigation saw the recovery of approximately 100 stolen mobile phones and thousands worth in assets and cash, which had been gained by the suspects as a result of fraud.
Tackling neighbourhood crime and serious violence will remain a priority for the Met. Through dedicated proactive police operations and an increase in officers in local theft and robbery hotspots, we hope to see a huge reduction in the number of offences that occur within London.
“It is important that these crimes are reported as soon as it happens as this it is crucial in helping officers catch those responsible and making communities and London a safer place,” Larkin-Smith stated.
The police explained that as part of the New Met for London Plan, localised proactive teams were set up to deal with crimes affecting each particular area, as this localised approach had seen successes in the Lambeth and Southwark area.
The Met added that officers would continue to offer advice to communities as they crackdown on robbery and theft, and advised people to look at the Met’s website which included steps to help prevent people from becoming a victim of crime and what to do following a theft or robbery.
