As part of an ongoing investigation into a series of mobile phone shop heists in London and the eastern regions of England, ten individuals have been charged.

Authorities suspect that an organized crime syndicate was responsible for 13 thefts since February, targeting shops in places like Staines, Hackney, Ilford, and Orpington, and making off with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of the latest mobile devices from secure storerooms.

Employee accounts reveal that they faced threats from the robbers, who often concealed their identities and were sometimes armed, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Eight men aged 20 to 31, along with two 17-year-old males, have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery following their arrests at various locations in London.

These arrests were part of a two-week initiative aimed at combating repeat offenders, which led to the detention of 292 suspects throughout London, as reported by the Met Police.

In addition to targeting organized criminal groups, police have ramped up patrols in areas known for mobile phone thefts, according to the force.

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier from the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad indicated that phone robberies have surged on a global scale.

“There is a deliberate strategy among criminal organizations to steal phones and export them internationally, creating a multi-million-pound operation,” she stated.

“The Met is increasingly apprehending these criminals, and initiatives like this are crucial for disrupting those who instill fear and suffering in shop employees and local communities.”