Mayor welcomes updates from Google to combat mobile phone theft

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today welcomed the introduction of new technology that will enhance security for Android phones and provide better protection for users, as part of work to ‘design out’ mobile phone crime in the capital and beyond.

The Mayor visited Google’s London offices to hear about new state-of-the-art AI technology that will make Android mobile phones less attractive to thieves and protect users and their data. The new enhanced security includes automatically locking the screen if the phone is snatched and allowing remote locking of a stolen device.

These updates are part of an ongoing partnership to ‘design out’ mobile phone robbery, and follow the Mayor and Met Commissioner’s landmark meeting with world-leading mobile phone companies at City Hall in October last year, where Sadiq called on them to find the most effective deterrents to combat phone theft.

New figures show that mobile phone crime is driving the rise in robberies and thefts in the capital with 33 per cent of all robberies last year involving a phone being stolen – equating to more than 11,800 offences. And 69 per cent of all thefts in London last year related to mobile phones.

The Met is spearheading dedicated and targeted police work to prevent these crimes but the criminal demand for high-value mobile phones continues to grow.

Today the Mayor has praised the changes introduced by Google which will enable Android device owners to hide sensitive apps behind a separate PIN-locked area. The new update will also use AI and sensors inside a device to identify when a thief has grabbed and fled with a user’s phone, locking the screen to prevent them accessing it or any data stored on it. The new Remote Lock feature will lock a device using just the phone number should it be lost or stolen, which will help users who cannot remember their Google credentials in the moments after a theft, but still need to secure their personal data.

The Mayor is urging Londoners to ensure they install the latest Android software updates available and activate these settings to ensure their device is best protected against thieves. The Mayor also continues to work alongside other phone companies, including Apple who have taken action with the new iOS 18 software update making it substantially harder for iPhones to be broken up for parts in the UK and internationally.

Sadiq will continue to work with the major phone companies to explore if all phones can be disabled following a theft, whether here in the UK or elsewhere in the world.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The theft of a mobile phone is hugely distressing and we are seeing numbers increase all around the world. While the Met are taking targeted action with patrols in London’s worst hotspots it is far too easy and profitable for criminals to repurpose and sell on expensive stolen phones.

“Last year I called on mobile companies to do what they can to ensure that their devices are not appealing to thieves, and I’m pleased that Google are introducing these important new security updates.

“We know there is much more still to be done to tackle this problem, but I am committed to continuing to work with the mobile phone industry and the Met to catch the criminals behind this appalling industry, as we build a safer London for everyone.”

Katie O’Donovan, Director of Public Policy for Google UK: “Android’s new anti-theft features will give added security for billions of people, including Londoners. We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of London to Google today to demonstrate our commitment to device safety.”

Annika Bizon, Director of Marketing, Omnichannel & Head of Ireland – MX Division, Samsung Electronics, said: “At Samsung, we are deeply committed to protecting the security and privacy of our Galaxy users. Working with Google we are giving users complete control over their devices, ensuring their data remains secure even when their device is not physically with them. We are striving to offer an even more secure user experience. Information about additional updates will be shared in the near future.”

Claire Waxman OBE, London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner, said: “Mobile phone crime is an extremely traumatic experience for every victim and has a lasting impact far beyond the loss of personal possession. What’s worse is that it can really heighten victims’ fear of crime and leave them feeling vulnerable as they go about their daily lives.

“Our lives are on our phones, and they are a form of safety and comfort for people but taking someone’s device robs them of that security and leaves victims worrying about where their private data and information may end up.

“That’s why I welcome the update from Google today and the introduction of this new technology is a step in the right direction in enhancing security and protection for Android phone users and their data. It is clear though that more improvements need to be made which is why I support the Mayor’s action with the mobile industry to come up with further measures that can make stealing phones less attractive for thieves and put an end to the illegal trade in stolen mobile phones.”