A tight-wearing thief who stuffed 40 mobiles phones down the hosiery legs, along with a North African ‘hugger-mugging’ gang have been brought to justice by Greater Manchester Police.
Figures reveal that 16,000 phones were stolen throughout Greater Manchester last year, and in response to this police are keen to crackdown on organised crime groups.
One such group, consisting of twelve North Africans, were identified through a covert intelligence operation which resulted in them being removed from the streets of Manchester.
One covert officer said: “Since we began gathering intelligence we have brought several members of the group before the courts and gained convictions.
“Following this other members of the group have left the country and we believe only three or four members of this North African group remain in the area.”
The North African group are among several organised crime groups that specialise in phone thefts, and once the phones are obtained the groups will sell them on to lucrative overseas markets.
A phone without data could fetch up to £400 abroad but a phone with personal information or banking details could sell for around £1,000.
Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin attributed the recent breakthroughs to the increased awareness of phone theft among members of the public.
The police have been able to build up an accurate idea of where and when organised crime groups are striking by working with licensed premises and the public.
The Oxford Road corridor has been highlighted as a hot spot for theft by the police and in particular so-called ‘hugger-muggings’.
Chief Inspector Parkin said: “Groups of reasonably well dressed individuals will approach revellers in what appears to be a friendly manner.
“One member of the group will approach the target, while the others distract any friends who are with the target.
“Coming across as a friendly stranger or fellow reveller; the thief will then hug or dance with the group’s target in order to steal his phone.”
This technique, along with others, can be seen below in a police video aimed at increasing public awareness about theft.
Chief Inspector Parkin said: “The intelligence our covert officers have been able to gather has been a great help in preventing organised theft.
“Only recently we were able to intercept one woman on her way to Pakistan with 30 stolen iPhones.”
However the police are keen to remind the public to remain vigilant.
Chief Inspector Parkin advised: “It may seem simple but treat your phone as you would a large bundle of cash. Never leave it unattended and keep out of sight when in public.
“You wouldn’t walk around waving £500 in the air or leave a wad of cash on the table while having a coffee but this is exactly what people are doing with their phones.
Police also advised phone owners to keep a record of the IMEI number, which can be obtained by pressing *#06# on your handset, which is needed if a phone is stolen.
Other safety measures include registering your phone on www. immobilise.com or installing a tracking app – advice on these can be found here.
TV bikes showing messages about mobile phone theft will be patrolling the city centre this weekend and officers will be handing out leaflets to people advising them to keep their phone safe.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
