Stolen phones will be rendered useless under Labour blitz on mobile-snatching yobs

STOLEN phones will be rendered useless under a Labour blitz on mobile-snatching yobs.

Tech firms will be ordered to install new safety features blocking nicked devices from being re-registered to remove the profit motive for thieves.

And if they fail to act, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned if she would force them by law because “the problem is becoming so serious”.

A phone is being swiped every four minutes but just one in a hundred result in a criminal charge, according to party research.

Ms Cooper recently held meetings with Apple, Google and Samsung to demand a tougher approach.

She said: “Phone theft is a distressing and disorientating crime, but has become one that people think is not even worth reporting due to Tory failure to grip the situation – more criminals being let off and more victims being let down.”

The drive is part of a wider crime crackdown by Labour which is pledging 13,000 extra police and community support officers.

Sir Keir Starmer wants more bobbies on the beat and has vowed to free them up from time-wasting form-filling.

The party has said they will fund the plan with £360million savings in Home Office procurement.

Both parties are trying to posture as the party of law and order with polls showing voters sick of anti-social behaviour and crimes going unsolved.