Effectively Decriminalised: Liberal Democrats Demand Action as 99% of Phone Thefts Go Unpunished

​The Liberal Democrats have sounded the alarm over a "phone snatching epidemic" sweeping the country, as new data reveals that stealing a mobile device has been effectively decriminalised under the current policing landscape.

​Freedom of Information requests have uncovered a staggering failure to bring criminals to justice. Across 17 police forces, a total of 86,262 cases were recorded, yet a mere 0.82% resulted in a charge.

​A National Crisis in Our Pockets
​The situation is most dire in the capital, where the charge rate plummeted to a near-invisible 0.3% out of nearly 70,000 cases. Even in counties like Dorset, Northamptonshire, and Surrey, charges remained in the single digits despite hundreds of reported thefts.

​The data highlights a systemic collapse in investigations: 9 in 10 cases are being closed before a suspect is even identified. This trend was thrust into the spotlight recently when the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, fell victim to a phone snatching in London; his case was initially closed by police almost immediately after it was reported.

​"A Slap in the Face to Victims"
The Liberal Democrats have warned that the lack of consequences is emboldening organised Saharan-style gangs to operate with impunity. The impact on victims goes far beyond the financial loss of the hardware.

​"Morgan McSweeney having his phone stolen was just the tip of the iceberg. People could be forgiven for concluding phone theft has been effectively decriminalised. Criminal gangs are feeling emboldened to strike in broad daylight, safe in the knowledge they have a less than 1% chance of ever being caught."
​
​"A stolen phone isn't just an expensive item, it holds your entire digital life, from bank accounts to private messages. The fact that thousands of these cases are closed without a suspect even being named is a slap in the face to victims." Max Wilkinson MP- Home Affairs Spokesperson 


​The Liberal Democrat Plan: Ending the Era of Daylight Robbery
​To restore order to our streets and protect citizens, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a two-pronged offensive against phone theft:

​A Dedicated NCA Unit: The party is demanding a specialised team within the National Crime Agency (NCA) to dismantle the professional criminal networks behind these thefts. This unit would coordinate intelligence across local forces, target theft hotspots, and map out the national picture of mobile crime.

​Killing the Resale Market: The Government must tighten regulations to mandate that all phone providers immediately disable stolen phones. By rendering the devices useless, the lucrative "grey market" for resold parts and handsets—currently exploited by gangs—would be effectively destroyed.

​“The Liberal Democrats are calling time on this phone snatching epidemic. It's time for a dedicated National Crime Agency unit to track down the professional gangs behind these thefts and end the era of daylight robbery.” Max Wilkinson MP 

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