LONDON: iPhone thefts in London fell 18% over the past year following a data-sharing partnership between Apple and the Metropolitan Police aimed at curbing smartphone theft and disrupting the resale market for stolen devices.
The Metropolitan Police said the collaboration with Apple has helped address one of the most commonly exploited weaknesses in smartphone security by preventing stolen iPhones from being illegally factory reset and resold.
Under the partnership, Apple and the Met have shared real-world data to track what happens to stolen phones after theft, including whether devices are reconnected to mobile networks.
The information has helped Apple assess the effectiveness of security features such as Activation Lock and Stolen Device Protection and identify attempts to bypass them.
Police said illicit third-party software had previously allowed criminals to factory reset stolen iPhones, making them appear as new devices for resale in overseas markets. Using intelligence gathered through the partnership, Apple identified and blocked the software.
Met Commissioner Mark Rowley said Apple believes it has effectively solved the technical problem, with recent data showing that the vast majority of iPhones stolen in London can no longer be successfully factory reset.
“If stolen phones cannot be reactivated, their value collapses, and so does the incentive to steal them,” Rowley said.
According to police figures, phone thefts in London declined by 14,000 cases between June 2025 and May 2026, representing an 18% year-over-year decrease.
The impact has been particularly noticeable in the London borough of Westminster, where mobile phones account for nearly 70% of personal thefts. Authorities reported that phone thefts in Westminster have fallen 45.8% this year.
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The Metropolitan Police said the reduction has also been supported by increased enforcement measures, including the use of drones to monitor criminal gangs and proactive tactics targeting suspects using motorcycles and e-bikes during theft operations.
