London assumes top spot as Europe’s phone theft capital

London has claimed the dubious title of Europe’s phone theft capital, with a staggering 64,000 devices stolen annually—equating to one theft every six minutes. The city’s black market for stolen phones is estimated to be worth £50 million per year, driving organized criminal activity and fueling public safety concerns.

A recent crackdown by the Metropolitan Police around Finsbury Park Underground station led to the arrest of over 600 individuals, including schoolboys as young as 14. The operation uncovered how gangs target London’s bustling West End to steal phones, using the city’s Underground network as a quick getaway route to northern districts like Islington and Blackstock Road.

Police intelligence revealed that thieves frequently board the Victoria line at stations such as Green Park and Oxford Circus, reaching Finsbury Park within just 10 minutes. Similarly, robbers escaping from nightlife hubs like Leicester Square and Covent Garden use the Piccadilly line to smuggle stolen devices northward.

Read also: Nigeria records nearly 3,000 phone thefts per hour in one year

Inspector Ross Hickman of Scotland Yard shed light on the gravity of the issue, describing Finsbury Park as a major hub for stolen mobile phones. “It’s a well-known fact, based on intelligence and information, that Finsbury Park is one of the largest areas in London for stolen property coming into it—that is all mobile phones,” he stated.

In one high-profile raid, 70 officers executed search warrants on three shops along Blackstock Road suspected of involvement in criminal activity. Seven individuals were arrested during the operation, which also targeted drug-related offenses.

Efforts to disrupt the illegal trade have intensified through initiatives like Love Finsbury Park, a collaboration between the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, and local councils. The joint strategy includes deploying additional officers—mounted police, territorial support units, and undercover teams—to deter crime and restore public confidence.

Despite these measures, the black market for stolen phones continues to thrive, with stolen devices often stored, sold, and distributed within minutes of being taken. The Metropolitan Police is determined to break the chain of operations, urging Londoners to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities.

As the city battles this growing menace, authorities emphasize the need for collective action to combat organized crime and reclaim safety across its transport hubs and tourist hotspots.