2026: Week 23 - A Wrigley Win!

A big Wrigley Win this week! Back in June 2025 the Science Innovation and Technology committee had an evidence session looking at mobile phone theft and what the big tech companies were doing to mitigate this crime.  One of the main issues raised was that even if a phone had been reported as stolen and it’s IMEI blocked, it could still be sold on and the new owner could connect to services provided by Apple or Google, making profits for those companies, which effectively removed any incentives for them to look for solutions to this.

I asked a series of questions and representatives from both Apple and Google would not commit to tightening up their processes in relation to stolen phones, it felt like the profits being made were too tempting.

Now the  Metropolitan Police have confirmed major progress is being made in this area, and is going to be asking the Government for legislation to force phone companies to publish data on stolen devices, and to enforce measures rendering handsets effectively unusable. Back in March the Met Police chief gave firms an ultimatum to enforce steps which would make stolen phones less desirable for resale and reuse. They have also entered into an "intelligence sharing agreement" with the Apple which will see the two share data to better understand criminality and whether security upgrades on phones need improving.

This is exactly what I have been asking for since June 2025!

In more sobering news I was horrified to see houses, cars, and a bus being set on fire in Belfast in acts of violence that followed a knife attack.

The knife attack was horrific, and my thoughts are with the victim and his family.  I would also wish to express thanks to the emergency services and members of the public who stepped in to help.  However, what has followed this attack cannot be justified in any way.

These appalling actions are happening more and more frequently, and it is simply not acceptable. Far too often we see extremists exploiting people’s anger and grief to spread hatred and violence – with the help of divisive algorithms on social media. This has to stop.

We have this week seen a further escalation of the US – Iran conflict, with both sides accusing the other of breaching the temporary ceasefire.  Trump’s threats to Iran are creating a very hostile environment, one which will have no victors.  His increasingly deranged acts are nothing short of madness, as the world watches and hopes that someone in his administration will finally have the courage to stand up to him. 

In the meantime I am hoping the Government will concentrate on putting in measures to help already struggling UK families with the soaring costs of fuel during these unsettled times. We cannot be beholden to the whims of a President who seems to have a personal ambition to blow up the world.