UK phone retailers lock shop doors while trading to tackle rising thefts

Exclusive: Companies considering use of ‘kill switches’ to disable stolen devices after 967% increase in theft incidents

Mobile phone retailers are locking their doors during trading hours and considering using “kill switches” to disable stolen devices, as incidents of theft increase more than ninefold in some high streets due to organised crime.

VodafoneThree, which operates the largest retail network with 650 stores across the UK, has experienced a 967% increase in theft incidents in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2024.