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.
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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.
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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.
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“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
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
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Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2024 
