November 29th 2024.
After months of terrorizing London streets with their phone snatching schemes, a notorious gang has finally been caught by the police. The four men, Zakaria Senadjki, Ahmed Abdelhakim Belhanafi, Nazih Cheraitia, and Riyadh Mamouni, were at the center of the city's epidemic of stolen mobile phones, with more than 5,000 devices valued at over £5 million being handled by them.
Their modus operandi was simple yet effective - they would swoop in and snatch phones from unsuspecting walkers and tourists, leaving them in shock and without their prized possessions. But the consequences went beyond just losing a phone, as many victims also had thousands of pounds stolen from their bank accounts and some even discovered that the thieves had used their personal information to rack up debts in their names.
For 18 long months, the gang carried out their nefarious activities, with a majority of the stolen phones being sold overseas. However, the Metropolitan Police were finally able to put an end to their crime spree when victims reported their phones being tracked to two specific addresses.
In February, the police raided these properties and uncovered a staggering 170 stolen phones. And while they believe there are thousands more victims, they have not yet been able to track down all of them. The sheer scale of the gang's operations and the extent of their impact on the public is truly concerning.
As the legal proceedings unfolded, it was revealed that Senadjki was sentenced to eight years in prison, Belhanafi received a sentence of four years and eight months, Cheraitia was sentenced to three years and five months, and Mamouni was handed a two-year and eight-month jail term.
Commander Owain Richards of the Metropolitan Police praised the hard work of the officers involved in bringing the gang to justice. He also emphasized the need for cooperation from the phone companies in making it more difficult for criminals to resell stolen devices. With increased policing in hotspot areas and the use of technology, the police are determined to tackle phone thefts and make the streets safer for Londoners.
Sadly, the data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales reveals a worrying trend of phone thefts on British streets. In the year leading up to March 2024, a staggering 78,000 people reported having their phones or bags stolen, which is a 150% increase from the previous year. And shockingly, only 0.8% of complaints resulted in a charge, highlighting the need for stronger measures to combat this crime.
In the face of such alarming statistics, it is imperative for everyone to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their phones and personal information. And with the police and phone companies working together, we can hope for a safer and more secure London for all. To stay updated on the latest news from the capital, be sure to visit Metro's London news hub.
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