Street Crime
Mobile Phones
There is a lot you can do to avoid being a victim of robbery:
Immobilise Phone Crime campaign
Stolen Phones don’t work anymore.
Mobile Phone networks can now stop stolen and lost phones being used on any network, even if the SIM card has been changed. Call your network or 08701 123 123 to get your stolen or lost phone blocked across every network and help stop mobile phone crime.
Visit www.immobilise.com to learn more. There is also a five minute web guide on mobile phone theft.
You can help protect your mobile phone if you:
REGISTER
Your phone with your network operator
RECORD
Your IMEI number and your phone number and keep these in a safe place separate from your phone. Your IMEI number (15 digit serial number) can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind the battery of your phone.
REPORT
The number of your stolen phone to your network operator and the police as quickly as you can. It can now be cancelled immediately like a stolen credit card
REMAIN ALERT
Your phone is a valuable item. When you are out be aware of your surroundings and don’t use your phone in crowded areas or where you might feel unsafe.
Protect your phone
www.crimereduction.gov.uk /streetcrime09c.pdf
Also
"Out of Sight is safer" when you are out and about, keep your phone out of sight
Keep your phone with you all the time, but don’t leave it lying around or carry it on display on a belt or in a pocket - a visible phone may be a target for theft.
If you have to use your phone in public, keep an eye on who is around you in case a thief approaches.
DATABASE MAKES STOLEN PHONES USELESS TO THIEVES
A mobile phone database launched on 1 November 2002 will prevent stolen mobile phones from being used on any UK mobile network helping to make them worthless to thieves.
Reporting the number of your stolen phone to your network operator will now enable it to be cancelled like a stolen credit card. This applies to both pre pay and contract phones.
The new shared database set up by all UK mobile phone operators and the Global System for Mobiles Association means stolen phones can now be barred on all networks, by reference to the phone’s unique identifying code (IMEI number).
Full details:
Further material is available to download on the topic:
Make Your Phone Worthless to Thieves
Protect Your Phone cutout leaflet
Copies of these leaflets can be ordered free of charge from the Home Office distriution warehouse by:
phoning 0870 2414680
faxing 0870 2414786
e-mailing homeoffice@prolog.uk.com
Quoting Reference MPL (or MPLW for copies in Welsh)
Mobile Phones Legislation- 4 October 2002
The Government, the police and the mobile phone industry are cracking down on mobile phone theft. If you are re-programming mobile phone handset IMEI numbers, or supplying or offering to supply this service to others, you are advised to STOP THIS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY or you risk being prosecuted under a new law which came into force on 4 October 2002.
The new law means that:
changing or interfering with a mobile phone handset IMEI number is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE
Possessing, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose is also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
The new offences carry a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment, or an unlimited fine, or both.The police will actively enforce this law.
Further material is available to download on the topic:
Poster warning re-programmers of the new consequences of their actions
Home Office Research on mobile phone theft:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors235.pdf
Last update: Thursday, November 06, 2008