Met's Flying Squad make ten arrests following series of phone shop robberies
They took place at phone shops in London and across the south of England.
Met Police officers have arrested 10 people as part of an investigation into a series of robberies at phone shops in London and across the south of England.
Flying Squad detectives worked to identify an organised crime group believed to be behind 13 robberies between February and early June.
The arrests are part of the Met's continued focus on tackling phone robbery and theft across London. As well as targeting organised gangs, officers have also increased patrols in phone snatch hotspot areas.
The Met took on the investigation after identifying a number of similar incidents where suspects stole thousands of pounds worth of new phones from secure store rooms at high street phone stores.
Staff reported being threatened by the suspects who often had their faces covered and were sometimes armed with weapons.
Arrests Made
On Thursday, 19 June eight men, aged between 20 and 31, and two 17-year-old boys were arrested at addresses in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier, who is leading the investigation from the Met's Flying Squad, said:
"Phone robbery has boomed globally, and London is not immune. There is a concerted effort by criminal gangs to steal phones and sell them overseas as part of a multi-million-pound industry.
Offences took place at several locations in the capital including Mare Street in Hackney, Orpington High Street and Ilford High Street.
They also took place in Huntingdon, East Grinstead, Clacton-on-Sea, Horsham, Ipswich and Stamford in Lincolnshire.
Inspector Hillier continued: "The Met is catching more of these criminals and operations such as this are vital to disrupting offenders who cause fear and misery to shop workers and communities."
They were charged and remanded in custody with conspiracy to commit robbery.
Increased patrols
The Met continues to focus on tackling phone theft across London with increased patrols in hotspot areas and better use of technology to identify perpetrators.
A recent two-week focus on prolific offenders resulted in 292 arrests across London.