Twelve arrested in Met mobile phone theft crack down

A Met operation targeting mobile phone thieves resulted in 12 arrest yesterday.

Operation Big Wing targeted phone thieves and those who dealt in and sold stolen phones, but Class A and B drugs, cash and a motorcycle were also seized by police during raids, as well as 127 mobile phones.

Eleven search warrants were carried out so far, the Met said, targeting gangs suspected of phone theft, dealing stolen phones and being linked to other criminals such as burglars and drug dealers.

One person was arrested on suspicion for handling stolen goods, after 93 mobile phones were seized at an address in Bromley Common, as well as possession with intent to supply drugs.

Another two arrests were made in Penge after £10,000 worth of cocaine was seized at a flat, and a further two arrests were made at St Paul’s Cray after stolen mobile phones were recovered after a raid at a barber’s shop.

Bromley Police detective chief inspector Andy Furphy said it was a concerted and targeted operation, using a “huge range” of tactics” to stop the people who made the streets an unsafe place to be.

Crimes like burglary, robbery and theft can have a huge impact on the people who are victims. By targeting those people responsible, plus the networks they use to sell on stolen property or trade for drugs we aim to make our streets a hostile place for them to operate.”

Operation Big Wing was a day long operation and used various teams including the Specialist Crime officers and Dogs team.