Phone Snatching Reduced by 50% in City of London

A widespread police operation led by the City of London Police has partnered with SelectaDNA, in order to reduce phone theft following a spike in 2022.

James Thomson, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said: “With well over half a million workers commuting into the City of London, many on a daily basis, and over 10 million visitors annually, the Square Mile appears attractive to phone snatchers.”

The City of London Police specifically targeted phone thefts due to the sharp increase in stolen phones reported in the summer of 2022, with the highest month seeing 148 mobile phones stolen in July 2022. Thanks to the new operation, this number has been reduced dramatically to 44.

The operation partnered with SelectaDNA in order to tag offenders fleeing the scene of powered two-wheeler enabled crime on mopeds.The SelectaDNA Tagging Sprays can be aimed by officers at moped offenders, marking the bikes, clothing and skin of any riders and passengers with a unique synthetic DNA that provides irrefutable evidence linking the offender to the specific crime.

In addition, the City of London Police have also relaunched it’s cycling team to allow police to be able to get through highly trafficked/inaccessible areas quickly.

Superintendent Neal Donohoe, City of London Police, said: “Phone snatching has a significant impact on victims and our key priority has been to reduce the number of phones stolen and we relentlessly target those criminals responsible.

“Our success has been due to the hard work of our officers and the introduction of our highly visible cycle team, who are able to quickly get across the Square Mile and deter snatchers.”