Stolen Phone Tracked to China: The Growing Problem of Mobile Theft

In April, Akara Etteh was checking his phone outside Holborn tube station in central London when a thief snatched it and fled on an electric bike. Despite Akara’s attempt to chase the thief, he was unable to recover his device. His experience is reflective of a troubling trend: an estimated 78,000 mobile phones were stolen in England and Wales in the year up to March, marking a significant rise from previous years.

The prosecution rate for these thefts is notably low. The police acknowledge that while they are actively targeting the criminals, they cannot “arrest their way out of the problem.” They also emphasize that manufacturers and tech firms need to take greater responsibility.

The impact on victims can be severe, ranging from the loss of irreplaceable photos to financial losses amounting to tens of thousands of pounds. For Akara, the theft was not only financially and emotionally frustrating but also infuriating because he could track his phone but was powerless to retrieve it.

Tracking the Phone

Shortly after the theft, Akara activated the “Find My iPhone” feature on his device, which allowed him to monitor its location. Initially, the phone’s location was pinging around Islington in north London. Despite his adrenaline-driven decision to visit the locations where his phone had been, Akara found no success and felt he was being watched.

By May, over a month after the theft, Akara’s phone appeared to be in Shenzhen, China, a major tech hub where stolen phones are often disassembled for parts if they cannot be unlocked. Faced with the reality that recovering his phone was unlikely, Akara had to let go of the hope of getting his device back.

Limited Police Action

Immediately after the theft, Akara reported the incident to nearby police officers who were aware of local phone thefts. He was advised to report the theft online, which he did. However, a few days later, the Metropolitan Police informed him via email that the case was closed, as identifying the culprits seemed improbable. Despite Akara providing details and photos of the locations his phone had pinged from, there was no further action from the police.

The Metropolitan Police, while not commenting on Akara’s specific case, stated they are focusing their efforts on hotspot areas such as Westminster, Lambeth, and Newham, with increased patrols and plainclothes officers to deter criminals and be more visible to the community.

Personal Stories of Loss

Many victims have shared their experiences. James O’Sullivan from Surrey reported a loss of over £25,000 due to thieves using his stolen phone’s Apple Pay service. Katie Ashworth from Newcastle lost not only her phone but also a watch and a debit card. Her phone contained the last photos of her mother before she fell ill, and she expressed deep regret over losing these irreplaceable memories.

Ashworth, like many others, was frustrated by the lack of follow-up from the police, despite having evidence of the thieves’ whereabouts from her bank transactions.

Challenges for Law Enforcement

PC Mat Evans from West Midlands Police, who has been dealing with phone theft for over a decade, noted that only a small percentage of stolen phones are recovered. Criminals often offload stolen phones to fences within hours, making swift police action crucial but challenging. He emphasized that while reporting thefts to the police is essential, the problem is not solely about law enforcement.

Commander Richard Smith from the National Police Chiefs’ Council highlighted that while arresting prolific criminals is important, it is not a complete solution. He stressed that manufacturers and the tech industry have a critical role in reducing the resale opportunities for stolen phones.

The Way Forward

The government is calling on tech companies to ensure that stolen phones can be permanently disabled to prevent resale. Additionally, the Home Office will host a summit to explore technological innovations that could help curb illegal phone trading. PC Evans suggested that more accurate phone tracking could significantly aid police efforts, though he acknowledged the challenges involved in such advancements.

Samsung has stated it is working closely with stakeholders to address mobile phone theft and related crimes, but Apple and Android have not provided specific comments.

In summary, while tracking and disabling stolen phones is a step in the right direction, collaborative efforts between law enforcement and technology companies are crucial to effectively tackling the rise in mobile phone thefts.