An undercover Metropolitan Police operation throughout August led to the arrests of two “prolific” thieves who were found in possession of numerous stolen phones, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Two alleged phone snatchers active in Walthamstow have been arrested amid a borough-wide crackdown, police say.
An undercover Metropolitan Police operation throughout August led to the arrests of two “prolific” thieves, according to Superintendent Sarah Jackson, with the Waltham Forest Neighbourhood Team.
She said the pair had been found in possession of numerous stolen phones and had used motorised bikes and scooters. Neither have been formally charged but are in custody, she said on Tuesday (9th September).
She added that dealing with phone-snatching – which has become a considerable problem across London, and particulary in the centre – was a “main priority” of hers.
The force has been focusing its efforts on transport hubs, such as Underground and Overground stations, in Walthamstow, Chingford and Leytonstone as these are “where the majority of crimes are committed”.
There has been a 31% reduction in offences year on year, Jackson added.
The Met has worked with Waltham Forest Council and other groups to tackle crime in the borough, forming a joint partnership.
Labour council leader Grace Williams said it would “remain a main area of focus for our partnership because we know it’s something that really concerns residents”.
During a quarterly crime seminar held this week, Jackson said that the impacts of drug crime and antisocial behaviour were “felt most in our communities”.
Over the past month in Chingford, the Met made 40 arrests and £11,000 of drugs were taken off the streets.
Reported drug crime in Leytonstone is also dropping, she added, and is down 39% year on year.
The focus in the south of the borough is on diversionary programmes to deter criminals from becoming repeat offenders.
The partnership has also installed CCTV cameras in drug hotspots.
There are more than 1,000 permanent cameras across the borough and the Met has access to 65 redeployables, which are relocated every month based on reports the council receives about antisocial behaviour.
The force has also been employing live facial recognition cameras and conducting ‘high-visibility’ patrols.
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