Cops to be handed powers to bust into phone thieves’ homes without a search warrant
RISHI Sunak will crack down on phone snatchers by handing police powers to bust into their homes without a search warrant.
The PM wants to let officers enter premises to hunt for and seize nicked goods without permission from a court.
Instead, police will need only to have reasonable proof that a stolen item, such as a mobile tracked via Find My iPhone, is inside a property.
The measures, set to be announced in the King’s Speech, could also apply to cars or other expensive equipment that have GPS trackers on them.
Sometimes victims have to wait weeks before a warrant is secured to take action.
A Home Office source called it a “game-changer” as it will allow authorities to “act more swiftly and catch criminals sooner”.
It will also be made a criminal offence to possess, make or supply electronic devices such as signal jammers used to steal vehicles.
It will be punishable by up to five years in prison.
Both plans will be unveiled on Tuesday when Charles will deliver the first King’s Speech in seven decades to mark the start of the next session of Parliament.
Last night Mr Sunak also doubled-down on his roll-back of eco policies.
He said: “Just as I have done with energy security, net zero, illegal migration and HS2, the King’s Speech will take the long-term decisions to address the challenges this country faces, not the easy way out with short-term gimmicks.”
Downing Street said the speech would build on the priorities of growing the economy and safeguarding the UK’s energy independence.
It will also ensure the country is “fully securing the benefits of Brexit”.