The New Statesman: politics and culture Britain’s booming export: stolen goods | Tom Sasse interview
Sep 2, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, Tom Sasse, Public Policy Editor at The Economist, unpacks Britain's alarming rise as a major exporter of stolen goods, like iPhones and luxury cars. He highlights the complex supply chain connecting street thefts in London to global organized crime networks. Sasse reveals how police are overwhelmed by these crimes and the economic impact on ordinary citizens, insurance costs, and businesses. The conversation delves into the serious lack of oversight in UK exports and the interplay between theft and cybercrime, calling for urgent reforms.
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London As A Theft Hub
- London has become the phone-theft capital of Europe, with a sophisticated export supply chain behind it.
- Stolen goods move quickly from street-level theft into containers bound for global markets.
Prioritise Organised Theft Enforcement
- Police should treat organised street theft as serious organised crime rather than low-harm petty theft.
- Increase resources to target high-level organisers and the export infrastructure rather than only street-level arrests.
How Street Snatch Rings Operate
- Tom Sasse describes groups of three or four stealing dozens of phones in a week using electric bikes as getaway vehicles.
- Thieves sell unlocked phones for £200–£400 and locked phones for around £60–£80, driving snatching behaviour.