December 17, 2003
Mobile phone crime blitz launched
In the UK, anationwide crackdown on mobile phone crime is being launched with the creation of a special police unit, according to the BBC.
"Latest figures show half of all street crime now involves mobile phone theft. Scotland Yard's Commander John Yates, who will be in charge of the unit, said it was believed the "epidemic" of mobile phone theft across Britain was still being fuelled by an international market."
And in a related article, This is London describes how thousands of mobile phones stolen off the streets in Britain are being re-sold across Asia and Africa for huge profits.
"Officers said up to 200 handsets a day were being stolen across the country. London is the worst hit area with 83 phone thefts a day."
And from The Guardian: "Gangs increasingly target shops and warehouses for larger hauls to sell abroad. Handsets can fetch between £300 and £600 each in India, Pakistan and Africa.
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