Operation Roar - Mobile Phone Thefts - Wandsworth

On Wednesday 27th August Wandsworth NPT along with SW Proactive, SW Proactive Investigations executed 7 warrants across SW BCU and AS BCU in relation to phone snatches and theft of mobile phones around Nine Elms, Battersea, US Embassy and Clapham Junction areas. As a result of this action 5 individuals identified as persons of interest under Operation Roar were arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft and on suspicion to commit fraud. One individual was found to be out of the UK and enquiries relating to a 7th male still ongoing. All 5 individuals arrested have been bailed pending further enquiries and the investigation remains ongoing. 

Since the inception of Operation Roar (July 2025), data obtained from MPS indices indicates a 72% reduction in robbery in Nine Elms Ward, 46% reduction in Battersea Ward and a 45% reduction in robbery on Shaftesbury and Queenstown Ward. Theft snatch offences have seen a 36% reduction in Nine Elms, 31% reduction in Battersea Park Ward and a 32% reduction in Shaftesbury and Queenstown Ward. 

Mr Larry Davis, Chair of the Independent Advisory Group, who observed the operation commented, 

“It was a delight to watch your teams in operation.  The planning was near perfection – you cannot plan for a person out the country but you can plan for their reception on return to the UK.  I thought the consideration to knock the doors rather than put them in was also a considerate thought and its my belief that although upsetting for parents it was some comfort that they were managed carefully and sympathetically.  You should be extremely proud of your teams and I was blown away as to just how much has changed since my last observation on an early morning op.  Please pass on my thanks to everyone”