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See other news storiesStudy shows mobile phone barring works
5 April 2007
Tests show that most mobile phones can't be used after they're stolen.
There's now less reason for criminals to steal mobile phones as recent changes made by mobile phone networks, at the government's request, mean most phones stop working within hours of being reported stolen.
80% of phones barred
An independent study of the network by System Concepts demonstrated that all five major mobile networks - 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone - exceeded the target of blocking 80% of stolen mobile phones within 48 hours.
This makes the phones much less attractive to criminals. Because mobile phone thefts disproportionately affect children and young people, the government has made addressing this issue a priority.
To build on this success, the government is also introducing a new offence of offering to re-programme a mobile phone. Starting this week, anyone caught offering to do such work faces five years in jail and an unlimited fine.
Jack Wraith, of the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF), said the figures showed that mobile phone companies had fulfilled their commitments to block stolen phone handsets.
'MICAF believes this is a significant step in helping reduce handset theft in the UK, and, as an industry, we continue to work with the government and police to deal with it,' Mr Wraith said.
Committed to working together
The Home Secretary, John Reid, said that mobile phone robberies are 'distressing experiences', especially for young people.
'We are determined to stamp this out,' he said.
The success of the agreement between government and mobile phone companies 'shows what can be done when the government, police and industry work in partnership,' he added.
Tim Godwin, of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said the success of the programme 'demonstrates 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.'
Don't let your guard down
Still, he said, the problem of mobile phone thefts has not gone away, so he urged all phone owners to register their phone and any other electronic or valuable property on the Immobilise website (new window).
Immobilise is a free service that allows you to register your valuable possessions, including your mobile, so that if they are subsequently stolen you can then flag this on the site. This instantly adds the information to the UK National Police Stolen Property Database, which helps police identify owners of recovered stolen property.
Visit the Immoblise website - www.immobilise.com (new window) - to register your phone today.
