A 14-YEAR-OLD girl has been arrested and charged with wasting police time.
The girl reported her mobile phone had been stolen by five men in Harwood Avenue, Bromley, to Bromley police on February 25.
Police initiated a robbery investigation and seized CCTV footage from the area.
Twelve hours later, the alledged victim's father visited Bromley police station to report she had made the story up and actually lost the phone on a bus.
The girl was arrested and charged and admitted the offence.
She appeared at a youth court and was bailed to attend a session with the Bromley Youth Offending Team.
Detective Inspector Garry Stokes, from Bromley police, said: "We are aware that a dishonest minority of people are intent on making false reports, usually in an attempt to gain a replacement upgraded mobile phone.
"This is totally unacceptable and wastes a considerable amount of police time and resources that could be better spent helping genuine victims and catching criminals.
"Anyone found to have submitted a false police report will be charged with wasting police time".
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