New data from the Metropolitan Police shows a significant drop in neighbourhood crime and homicides in London, with the Mayor attributing success to record police funding and the Violence Reduction Unit. The report aims to counter online disinformation portraying London as a "lawless" city.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has urged the UK Home Secretary to legislate, forcing phone companies to make stolen devices unusable. London sees 200-300 phone thefts daily, with criminals selling devices globally. Apple's new safeguards are reducing reactivation rates, but wider action is sought.
UK minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described his phone being stolen in October, losing messages including those with Peter Mandelson, which are sought in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. He called the theft a "nightmare" and confirmed messages were about appointments and Oxford University.
Messages between UK minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and Peter Mandelson are missing from Epstein scandal disclosures due to a reported phone theft. Thomas-Symonds' phone was stolen in October, shortly after a meeting with Mandelson. Another senior aide, Morgan McSweeney, also reported a phone theft.
