Double whammy against mobile thieves
| Published: 17th April 2007 14:34 |
There is no point in stealing mobile phones, the Government, police and mobile phone industry said today as new test results show that almost all mobiles are barred on home networks within the first day of being reported as stolen.
Independent test results show that the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum - made up of Government, industry and the police - has also made good its pledge to block 80 per cent of mobile phones, across all networks, within 48 hours of them being reported stolen, making them less attractive to criminals.
Rendering mobile phones less attractive to criminals will help to drive down street crime and make people safer in their communities.
The Government is building on this success by introducing a new offence of offering to or agreeing to (or offering or agreeing for a third party to) re-programme a mobile phone. From tomorrow (Friday) anyone caught doing this faces up to five years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.
Home Secretary John Reid said:
"Being robbed for your mobile is a harrowing and distressing experience that has happened to far too many of us and our children. We are determined to stamp this out. That's why today we're dealing mobile thieves a double whammy. If they try to use the stolen mobile they now know it will be blocked within 48 hours. And a new offence from tomorrow means that if they try and re-programme it - or try and sell it for re-programming - they can face up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine.
"This shows what can be done when Government, police and industry work in partnership. Because crimes - like mobiles themselves - are always changing we will now work with the industry and police to anticipate the crimes of the future so we can design out problems in the next generation of phones before they develop."
System Concepts carried out the independent test results which demonstrated that all five networks - 3, O2, Orange, T-mobile and Vodafone - exceeded the target of blocking 80 per cent of stolen mobile phones within 48 hours.
Jack Wraith, of the Mobile Phone Industry Crime Forum (MICAF), said: "Mobile phone network operators have met their commitment to block reported stolen handsets across all UK networks in the agreed timeframe. Together with the amended legislation, MICAF believes that this is a significant step in helping to reduce handset theft in the UK and, as an industry, we continue to work with the Government and police to deal with it."
Tim Godwin, Association of Chief Police Officers lead on mobile phone crime and Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, said:
"The National Mobile Phone Crime Unit continues to work closely with UK forces and industry to tackle street crime and other mobile phone offences by identifying and targeting those responsible for stealing, handling and illegally reprogramming mobile phones and other property.
"The charter and the independent test results announced today demonstrate the industry's commitment to blocking stolen phones across all networks. I believe this ongoing support is playing a major part in our joint efforts to drive down mobile phone crime.
"I would also like to welcome the amendment to the Reprogramming Act, which will enable police to effectively target criminals involved in unblocking stolen phones. Both these issues will support our crackdown on robbery and other mobile phone related crime.
"We would advise people to use their phones safely and wisely and be aware of the environment they are in. I would also urge everyone to register their mobile phone and any other identifiable property on http://www.Immobilise.com. This service is free and will assist in the recovery of your property should it be lost or stolen and will also help catch the people engaged in stealing phones."
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