London phone shop robbery gang jailed over 55 years
A group of ten men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 55 years in prison for a series of robberies targeting mobile-phone retail outlets in London. The case was brought by the Metropolitan Police Service (Met Police) following an investigation by their Flying Squad unit.
Between September and November 2024, the organised crime group committed at least 13 robberies of phone-shops, mainly stores operated by the telecommunications company EE. The gang used violence and threats of violence to force staff to open secure stockrooms. The total value of the stolen goods approached £240,000.
At the sentencing hearing in Kingston Crown Court on 7 November 2025, the court heard that one of the largest sentences handed was 10 years in prison for one of the gang members, and others received multi-year sentences ranging from around three years up to more than eight years.
One of the defendants, aged 25, was involved in almost all of the raids and was given six and a half years. Another, who stood trial rather than plead guilty, received eight and a half years. The methods of the gang were described as terrifying for shop staff: in one case a staff member said he believed he might be stabbed if he did not comply.
The Met Police emphasised that the case shows their commitment to tackling organised crime networks that operate across retail sectors. They credited digital and forensic investigation techniques, including CCTV, mobile phone data and DNA evidence, for helping to dismantle the network.
For the companies and their staff the impact was significant. Employees described feeling traumatised, fearing for their safety when facing masked men forcing access to stockrooms. For the retailer, the operational cost and reputational damage are considerable.
In reaction, the retailer urged continued partnership with law enforcement and the industry to bolster security and share intelligence. The Met Police likewise said they would continue to work closely with the retail sector to disrupt such crime.
The key takeaway from this case is that even crimes that might appear “just theft” can involve organised, coordinated networks that target high-value goods such as mobile phones and use serious violence or threats. The large sentences reflect the court’s view that these offences were not simple shoplifting but linked to organised criminality.
