Early Morning Raids Lead to Charges
Four men have been charged following a City of London Police operation targeting a spate of phone snatchings and fraud. Officers raided multiple addresses in the early hours of Thursday, 26 February, swooping on suspects involved in conspiring to defraud, steal, and handle stolen goods.
- Omar Ahmed, 21, Lodge Lane, North Finchley
- Abdulkadir Mumin, 31, Creukhorne Road, Harlesden
- Anas Omar, 19, Ingleway, North Finchley
- Mohammed Abdi, 18, Mitchell Road, Southgate
Phone Snatching Falls by 40% in the Square Mile
New stats reveal a huge 40% drop in phone thefts in the Square Mile for 2025 versus the year prior. The City of London Police credits this success to tough, intelligence-led patrols, targeted operations, and public awareness campaigns urging people to protect their phones.
Detective Inspector Kev Hughes said: “We’ve already cut phone snatching by 40% compared to last year, and we’ll keep using every tool, from proactive patrols to financial investigations, to drive that figure down even further.
“We advise everyone to activate advanced anti-theft phone features, hide financial apps behind biometrics, and always cover your pin in public.”
Ongoing Fight to Protect Londoners
The recent arrests form part of a wider push to combat acquisitive crime and protect the public from financial harm linked to phone theft.
More arrests and charges may follow as investigations continue.
New Policing Plan and Phone Marking Rollout
The City’s three-year policing plan, launched today, highlights tackling phone theft and fraud as a top priority. It pledges a “trusted and inclusive police service” aimed at keeping London safe and revolutionising crime-fighting on economic and cyber crime.
City of London Police now offer phone marking service to uniquely tag devices. This helps officers quickly ID and return stolen phones to their rightful owners.
Finally, blue plaques are popping up across the City—including Fleet Street—to remind workers and residents to “look up and look out” for phone snatchers.
