Met Police Uses E‑Bikes Drones to Catch Phone Thieves

Published: 17 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The Metropolitan Police has stepped up its fight against mobile phone theft in London by deploying electric bikes (e‑bikes), drones and cutting‑edge technology to track and arrest thieves, amid a major crackdown on organised criminal gangs responsible for stealing thousands of phones across the capital.

Met officers have been engaging in what authorities describe as the largest‑ever blitz on phone snatchers in areas like London’s West End, a hotspot for thefts. Specialist teams are using high‑speed Sur‑Ron e‑bikes — agile electric bikes that allow officers to chase suspects on two wheels through tight streets and crowded areas — helping them catch thieves riding similar bikes or scooters. Meanwhile, drones are being used to provide aerial surveillance, follow suspects as they flee and gather evidence in real time.

The technological push forms part of a sustained operation by the Met that has seen hundreds of arrests and significant falls in mobile phone theft figures. Police say by combining traditional neighbourhood officers with proactive units and modern tools like live facial recognition, they’ve greatly enhanced their ability to pinpoint offenders and intervene quickly.

Latest official statistics show that phone theft in London dropped by around 12 per cent last year, with recorded offences falling from over 81,000 in 2024 to about 71,000 in 2025 during the year‑long crackdown. In key hotspot areas such as the West End, thefts have fallen by nearly 30 per cent since April last year, police said.

Police have also uncovered worrying tactics by organised gangs recruiting children as young as 14 via social media to steal the latest handsets in return for cash rewards, further highlighting the scale and complexity of the problem.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have both highlighted the importance of sustained enforcement, community policing and collaboration with technology firms to reduce theft and make stolen devices harder to reset or resell. However, they have also called on the courts and phone manufacturers to play a part by preventing repeat offenders being released quickly and by tightening the security of stolen devices.

As London’s police continue to adapt to the evolving tactics of mobile thieves, using e‑bikes and drones signals a modern, proactive approach to tackling crime on the capital’s streets, giving officers the tools they need to stay ahead of criminals and help protect residents and visitors alike.

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