Met Police Arrest 10 in 13-Phone Shop Robberies London, Southeast

Ten people, including eight men aged 20 to 31 and two 17-year-old boys, have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with a series of 13 phone shop robberies across London and the South East of England. The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad identified an organized crime group responsible for stealing thousands of pounds worth of new phones from secure stock rooms between February and early June, with incidents reported in locations including Stamford, Ilford, Hackney, Clacton-on-Sea, and Horsham. Staff at these stores were often threatened by masked suspects who were sometimes armed, causing fear among workers and communities. Police emphasized that the stolen phones are believed to be sold overseas as part of a multi-million-pound criminal industry, prompting increased law enforcement efforts involving patrols and technology to disrupt these gangs. The suspects were arrested in London and subsequently remanded in custody, reflecting the Met's commitment to tackling prolific offenders involved in phone theft. Vodafone and other affected retailers have called for more support to protect staff in this targeted industry.