Mobile Phone Theft

MOBILE PHONE THEFT

The U.K. Home & Business Security Advisor

How to Stay Safe!

Mobile phones are HOT property and you could be at risk if you don't follow our expert's advice!

There must be several million mobile phones in use throughout the UK today. Many are owned by children. More and more parents are giving phones to their offspring in the belief that it will help to keep them safe. Generally, this is true. Parents are able to contact their kids in an emergency and visa versa.
However, a new and disturbing crime trend had reared its head. Violent street attacks committed in order to steal mobile phones! And often the targets for this crime are youngsters.

Mobile phone theft has been around for a long time, usually from vehicles or unattended property. In this section we will look at how you can help to prevent this kind of theft too but first.....Street Crime.

The truth is, if you live or work in an area with little or no street crime, then you need not worry too much about becoming a victim. HOWEVER...You should still follow our advice because you will, no doubt, travel to places that may not be so friendly!

Who are the main victims? Well, usually it's youngsters. Often whilst on their way to or from school. Most kids use their phones to send text messages. They can be seen walking down the street, heads bowed in concentration as they tap out new messages. How better to advertise to the mugger, that you have a phone to steal! So...

When your phone beeps with a new message, discipline yourself to wait until you are safely home before reading it. Don't worry, if the text is urgent, and you don't respond straight away, they will probably phone you. Most parents will phone rather than text.
If your phone rings, take a good look at who's about, or near you, before you answer it. If you can, enter a busy shop first, where any attack would raise a good deal of attention.
Use a phone lock. If the phone is stolen, it will be unusable once it has been turned off, or the battery has run down.

Theft From Unattended Property. Many phones are stolen from changing rooms, lockers, office desks, handbags and jackets. Most victims are adults, and most could have taken steps to prevent it!

If you have a desk with lockable drawers, the ensure your bag and any other valuable items are locked away - all day! Ensure that you can easily access it if you need anything from it.
Don't keep large sums of money with you and keep your cheque book and cards separate at all times.
Challenge strangers in your building, be it an office or school.

In all cases, make a note of your phone's identification number. You can access it by entering *#06#. If your phone is stolen, give this number to your service provider immediately and your phone will be disconnected. There is now an international register of these numbers, shared by all service providers. Using this,a stolen phone will never be usable again, even if re-chipped. It is now also an offence for people to offer reprograming services without the authority of the phone companies.

CHECK OUT OUR MOBILE PHONE SECURITY MARKING KIT

AVAILABLE IN OUR SECURITY SHOP!

	There must be several million mobile phones in use throughout the UK today. Many are owned by children. More and more parents are giving phones to their offspring in the belief that it will help to keep them safe. Generally, this is true. Parents are able to contact their kids in an emergency and visa versa. However, a new and disturbing crime trend had reared its head. Violent street attacks committed in order to steal mobile phones! And often the targets for this crime are youngsters.
	Mobile phone theft has been around for a long time, usually from vehicles or unattended property. In this section we will look at how you can help to prevent this kind of theft too but first.....Street Crime.
	The truth is, if you live or work in an area with little or no street crime, then you need not worry too much about becoming a victim. HOWEVER...You should still follow our advice because you will, no doubt, travel to places that may not be so friendly!
	Who are the main victims? Well, usually it's youngsters. Often whilst on their way to or from school. Most kids use their phones to send text messages. They can be seen walking down the street, heads bowed in concentration as they tap out new messages. How better to advertise to the mugger, that you have a phone to steal! So...
	When your phone beeps with a new message, discipline yourself to wait until you are safely home before reading it. Don't worry, if the text is urgent, and you don't respond straight away, they will probably phone you. Most parents will phone rather than text. If your phone rings, take a good look at who's about, or near you, before you answer it. If you can, enter a busy shop first, where any attack would raise a good deal of attention. Use a phone lock. If the phone is stolen, it will be unusable once it has been turned off, or the battery has run down.
	Theft From Unattended Property. Many phones are stolen from changing rooms, lockers, office desks, handbags and jackets. Most victims are adults, and most could have taken steps to prevent it! If you have a desk with lockable drawers, the ensure your bag and any other valuable items are locked away - all day! Ensure that you can easily access it if you need anything from it. Don't keep large sums of money with you and keep your cheque book and cards separate at all times. Challenge strangers in your building, be it an office or school.
	In all cases, make a note of your phone's identification number. You can access it by entering *#06#. If your phone is stolen, give this number to your service provider immediately and your phone will be disconnected. There is now an international register of these numbers, shared by all service providers. Using this,a stolen phone will never be usable again, even if re-chipped. It is now also an offence for people to offer reprograming services without the authority of the phone companies.