London crime rates up due to iPod, cell phone thefts

Echoing a similar report in New York late last month, the popularity of iPods and new mobile phones has fuelled a sharp rise in street robbery in the country's capital because of its distinctive white-colored earphones, according to Britain's most senior police officer. "Sir Ian was speaking as new figures showed a 26.4 percent increase in robbery - which includes street crime and the theft of personal items - in London in April compared to the same month last year.... 'In street robbery our concern has been around the smaller portable pieces of kit - the new generation of mobile phones and iPods. They have different coloured leads, it is very obvious when someone is wearing an iPod. That is what is fuelling this.'"

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