The Government has pledged to crack down on ‘snatch thefts’ after cases soared by more than 150% in the last year.
The announcement comes after a recent Home Office analysis revealed that an estimated 78,000 people had items such as their phones or bags grabbed from them on the streets over the last 12 months – with the Government saying policing intelligence suggests this is being driven by “increased demand” for second-hand smartphones, both in the UK and overseas.
Crime Survey data indicates the equivalent of more than 200 so-called ‘snatch thefts’ took place every day on streets across England and Wales, which is the highest rate in more than a decade.
More than one third (36%) of these offences involved theft of a mobile phone.
To tackle this challenge head on, tech companies and manufacturers will be called to attend a Home Office summit on the issue.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Government is to crack down on ‘snatch thefts’ after cases soar by more than 150% / Credit: Airam Dato-on (via Pexels)
The summit will look at the new innovations that could take on the illegal market, and will aim to build on anti-theft smartphone features that some tech firms are said to have already rolled-out to protect their customers.
On top of this, the Government will also be tasking police chiefs to tackle this scourge in neighbourhood theft.
ADVERTISEMENT
Local police will also continue to surge police patrols in areas that are considered to be most at-risk of serious violence, with the Government intending to work with forces across the country to ensure that there is visible police presence in these hotspot areas to help “deter criminals” and “protect our communities”.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson called the latest theft figures “troubling”.
More than 200 so-called ‘snatch thefts’ took place every day on streets across England and Wales last year / Credit: Picryl
“With new phones coming to market and young people going back to school and university, many of us will have a new phone in our hands at this time of year,” she explained. “These figures are troubling and the government is determined to do whatever’s necessary to protect people entitled to walk the streets without the threat of robbery.
ADVERTISEMENT
“As part of our Safer Streets mission, this new Government is determined to crack down on snatch theft, knife-enabled robbery, and other crimes that make people feel unsafe in our communities.
“We are working to get thousands more uniformed officers into our communities to restore neighbourhood policing.”
Dame Johnson added that the Government, tech companies, and law enforcement can “break the business model of the phone thieves who rely on this trade” if they all work together.
Featured Image – PickPik
News
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road set to close for annual safety inspections this weekend
Emily Sergeant
The Mancunian Way is set to close for its annual safety inspections this weekend.
As Manchester City Council looks to ‘improve’ what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that a two-day closure of Mancunian Way is set to take place this weekend so that essential inspection works can be carried out.
With an estimated 15 million journeys taken along this road annually, the Council says it’s vital that inspections are conducted to keep traffic flowing.
Taking place over the weekend, both carriageways and their slip roads will be out of use from 6am on Saturday 26 June until 6am on Monday 28 June.
The closure will run from the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street.
🚧 Mancunian Way Annual Maintenance
The Mancunian Way and its slip roads will be closed on 27–28 June for essential inspections and repairs.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 22, 2026
Fully signed diversions will be in place during this time for vehicles travelling in both directions, the Council has confirmed – with diversion routes planned for Trinity Way, Great Ancoats Street, Bridgewater Viaduct, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Of course, this does mean that some disruption to the public is expected, with anyone travelling in and out of the city centre told to plan their journeys ahead of time, however the Council has chosen for the closures to be overnight so that any disruption is kept to a low a level as possible.
“Because of the tens of thousands of vehicles we see use the Mancunian Way every day, ensuring its proper maintenance and upkeep is essential”, commented Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“There will be a level of disruption which is why we’d urge people to plan their journeys ahead and find an alternative route which avoids the closure.
“Thank you to everyone ahead of your patience as we carry out these essential works.”
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Date for Greater Manchester’s next Mayoral Election officially announced
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to vote for new Mayor, and the election date has now officially been announced.
After it was announced last Friday that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, and right off-the-back of announcing his intentions to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, the date of Greater Manchester’s next Mayoral Election has now been announced.
As the role of Mayor of Greater Manchester also holds Police and Crime Commissioner powers, as an elected MP, Burnham is now disqualified from holding the office of Mayor.
“It is with some sadness that this result brings an end to my wonderful nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester,” Andy Burnham said in his victory speech last week.
“This city region has given so much to me, and it is a wrench to leave the job I love, but I am not leaving the service of Greater Manchester.
“I’ve always been clear that it can’t achieve everything it should be and we can’t close the north-south divide, and we can’t make all the great English cities be what they should be without big change at the national level.”
The date for Greater Manchester’s next Mayoral Election has officially been announced / Credit: GMCA
In accordance with the law, an election to fill the vacancy of Mayor must be held within 35 working days.
Therefore, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Returning Officer has determined that a Mayoral Election will be held on Thursday 30 July 2026.
More information on the upcoming election, and the full list of candidates running for the position, is set to be announced in due course.
Timeline wise on the Prime Ministerial side, Keir Starmer says he will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable for the takeover, with nominations opening on 9 July and to be completed by the summer recess (16 July), and in the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.
Starmer will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete, adding: “I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.”
Featured Image – Mangopear Creative (via Unsplash)
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2024 
