Smart and Meta glasses offences

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/26/10311

Version Date: 17/08/2026

The Performance & Analysis Department has provided the following information: 

Data Processing:                                                  

Crimes recorded on crime information system - NICHE

searched for: ‘Smart glasses’ or ‘meta glasses’

Filtered by occurrence date created: January 1st 2022 to June 1st 2026           

Data Limitations:

Data is based on the presence of the keyword, but does not indicate its relevance to the offence 

1) Please can you state for crime reports recorded by your force, the number in which the crime report text (described as modus operandi reports by many forces) contains a mention of "Smart glasses" or “Meta glasses” in each of the following calendar years: 
 
i) 2022
ii) 2023
iii) 2024
iv) 2025
v) 2026 (up to June 1)

Please could you also state the type of offence.

2) Please can you provide a redacted copy of the free text crime reports for these offences recorded by your force in between 1 January and 1 June 2026.

MO text of the 2026 offence is as follows:                                                           

"Unknown offender has entered property and not caused any damage and has taken smart glasses and air pods by unknown means"