Despite being the basis for dozens of cop shows over the years, New York City has actually seen declining crime rates over the past two decades. Unfortunately, while the number of homicides went down this year, the city has seen a 3% overall increase in crime and a 9% increase in grand larceny.

So what caused the spike in thefts? According to NYPD spokesman Paul Browne, the increase is thanks to the popularity of Apple products – among both consumers and criminals. Browne said that if it weren’t for the Apple thefts, the city would be seeing a slight decrease in crime.

The NYPD estimates that between January 1 and September 30 of this year, almost 11,5000 Apple products were stolen in New York City alone, which is a 40% increase over the previous year. The police are taking special measures to combat smartphone theft, such as stationing officers in electronics stores to help consumers register their phones, which makes them easier to track if they’re stolen.

via Slash Gear