London gangs recruit children through Snapchat to steal smartphones

Police in London have revealed that organised criminal gangs are recruiting children as young as 14 to steal smartphones before school, using social media platform Snapchat to advertise cash rewards of up to £380 for the latest Apple devices.

The Metropolitan Police said it is deploying new resources, including drones and electric Surron bikes, as part of an intensified effort to tackle a surge in phone snatching across the British capital, The Guardian reveals. 

London has been the UK city hardest hit by mobile phone theft, drawing criticism over the police response. Although the force reported that thefts fell 12% over the past year to 71,000 incidents, officials acknowledge the scale of the problem remains significant.

Police say gangs circulate digital “menus” on Snapchat listing payments for different models of stolen phones. The highest rewards are offered for the newest Apple devices, which criminals believe are easier to reset and resell overseas, particularly in markets in the Gulf region and China.

One flyer recovered by officers offered £380 for an iPhone 16 Max, £220 for an iPhone 15 and £20 for an iPhone 12.

After stealing phones, children are instructed to message a “handler” on Snapchat to arrange collection. Bonuses of £100 are reportedly offered for handing over 10 or more stolen devices in a single drop.

In one recent case, police said a teenager set out early in the morning on a bicycle to target commuters near a major London transport hub before going to school.

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, called for greater action from technology companies and the courts.

“Policing alone cannot solve this problem. Manufacturers and tech companies must do more to stop criminals being able to reset, reuse or resell stolen phones.

“We also need the courts to play their part by preventing repeat offenders being bailed only to go out and offend again, undermining the hard work officers are doing to keep communities safe.”

Police say Samsung devices typically command lower prices because they are harder to reactivate for overseas use.

The force is now focusing heavily on London’s West End, a major tourist and shopping district that has become a hotspot for phone theft, with visitors seen as easier targets. Drones will be used to track suspects as they flee, while specially trained officers on Surron electric bikes will pursue young offenders who often use bicycles themselves.

The Metropolitan Police also confirmed that live facial recognition technology has contributed to recent arrests and will continue to be deployed.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced additional funding to combat the problem.

“Far too many Londoners have been the victim of phone theft and I’m determined to stamp it out,” Khan said.

“We have made real progress reducing high-volume crime – but I recognise the personal impact of mobile phone theft and how awful it is when someone’s photographs, contacts, messages and personal information is stolen.

I’m pleased to propose an additional £4.5m to help the Metropolitan police smash the phone gangs – with a new police command cell focused on taking out gang bosses as well as robbers and snatchers.”

Authorities say the new funding will support the creation of a dedicated command centre aimed at dismantling organised phone theft networks and targeting those orchestrating the crimes, as well as the young people recruited to carry them out.

By Sabina Mammadli