London’s Metropolitan Police announced on Monday that they have apprehended 46 individuals in a crackdown targeting a global network involved in the smuggling of around 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China. This operation marks the most extensive effort against phone theft in London, a city where popular tourist areas are frequently afflicted by such crimes.
The investigation, named Operation Echosteep, was initiated in December 2024 following the discovery of a shipment containing about 1,000 iPhones near Heathrow Airport, many of which were confirmed to be stolen and destined for Hong Kong. Among the 46 arrests made in connection with the operation, 11 were related to criminal gangs targeting delivery vehicles to steal the latest iPhone 17 models.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan praised the operation as the largest of its kind in UK history, emphasizing that law enforcement efforts targeted not only smuggling ring leaders but also individuals involved in street robberies and snatch thefts. According to the Metropolitan Police, more than 80,000 mobile phones were reported stolen in London during the year 2024.