THIEVES who target phones and valuables are being targeted across London today in a police crackdown.

Officers are out on high visibility patrols across Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich in an effort to promote crime prevention awareness.

In total 7,500 Met officers are involved across the capital including in a series of dawn raids targeting suspected thieves and handlers of stolen goods.

Police will be carrying out street briefings, weapon sweeps, licensing checks and holding crime prevention events at transport hubs and shopping centres.

This aims to stop around 7,000 phones being stolen in the capital every month making up 70 per cent of all theft from the person.

Commander Stephen Watson said: "Today is about the Met delivering a highly visible, targeted operation, using a huge range of tactics to stop thieves.

“Crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have a huge impact on the people who are victims. By targeting those people responsible, plus the networks they use to sell on stolen property or trade for drugs, we aim to make our streets a hostile place for them to operate.”