EIGHT ARRESTS were made across East London last month as police fighting moped-riding mobile phone thieves conducted morning raids in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Havering.
The raids took place as part of Operation Venice, run by the Metropolitan Police together with the City of London police. During the raids, police recovered approximately 20-30 mobile phones as well as laptops and camera equipment – together with around £30,000 in cash.
The arrests were made on suspicion of conspiracy to handle stolen goods, encouraging and assisting offenders and various offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Those arrested were taken to various London police stations.
Detective Inspector Steve Brownlee, who worked on Operation Venice, said: “The Met Police is actively targeting moped criminals to ensure we keep the public safe and make offending difficult for those intent on committing these crimes.” He added that the “operation has been incredibly successful and will have seriously dented the organised group assisting with the distribution of stolen property abroad from moped snatches.”
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