Be careful with a small, valuable object in public

Mobile phones are desirable, small, portable and valuable. People use them in public places, where there can be unscrupulous characters around.

Be cautious or subtle

It makes a lot of sense to be a little thoughtful about where you use a mobile phone. The same sort of places where pickpockets will take a purse or wallet, or a handbag may be snatched, your mobile, or even your personal safety can be at risk if someone tries to take a phone by force.

Don't be a victim

Thare are large numbers of instances of robberies from the person involving mobile phones. Rarely are victims killed or seriously injured, but it is not a pleasant experience for anyone. School children seem particularly susceptible to having mobile phones stolen from them.

The authorities are on the case

The government, alarmed by the rising numbers of reported robberies from the person (many of them mobile phones from young people) have made this a policing priority, and persuaded the mobile phone networks to share a blacklist, so that any mobile phone reported stolen will not be useable on any UK mobile network. In time, this may make mobile phone theft less common. There is something you can do, though.

What can we do?

It's easy to take simple precautions:

• Don't leave your mobile in view, clipped to your belt, or on top of a shopping bag.
• Keep bags holding your phone in view.
• Think about who is around when you use your phone.
• Put some way to contact the owner in the phone: perhaps a phone number stored in memory, labelled "If found ring ..." or a sticker under the battery.
• Don't leave a mobile phone unattended in a car, even briefly. Many mobiles are stolen from cars on filling station forecourts.
• Use PIN codes to protect your phone in case it is lost or stolen. For details, see the Passwords page.
• Consider insurance. For more information, see the Insurance page.

See also [ Passwords ] : [ Insurance ]

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