300,000 mobile phones are stolen every year in the United Kingdom and the police have revealed that this alarming number is set to rise.
It is thought that the economic downturn has lead to a sharp increase in this type of crime.
Smartphones are expensive to buy and therefore, they are worth a lot of money.
In the majority of cases, stolen smartphones are sold on to mobile phone recycling firms or sent abroad where a larger return can be made.
In Islington alone, mobile phone thefts have increased by 400% over the last year.
Generally, mobile phones are stolen in busy spaces where there are lots of people such as streets, restaurants and concerts.
The police force are urging people to think carefully about using mobile phones in public places and follow these guidelines:
- Don’t draw attention to your mobile phone
- Remain aware of the people around you
- Go inside a shop to use your phone, rather than staying on the street
- If possible, keep your phone tucked away in a bag or in a zipped pocket
However, if you are unlucky and your mobile phone is stolen, follow these simple steps:
- Contact the police as soon as possible.
The quicker the better. Police are able to access CCTV footage and acting quickly could help them to catch a criminal. - Call your mobile phone service provider and ask them to block your handset so it can’t be used to make calls.
Whilst blocking a handset can stop calls within the UK, a phone could still be used abroad so it’s best to inform your network as soon as possible so you don’t run the risk of getting a large bill that’s not yours!
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