Phone companies are set to meet with the Home Office to discuss strategies to combat the alarming increase in snatch thefts across England and Wales. According to government data, thefts from the person, including items such as phones, bags, and wallets, have more than doubled in the past year, with an estimated 78,000 incidents reported in the year to March, compared to 31,000 the previous year.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has called on phone manufacturers to implement measures that would permanently disable stolen phones, making them unusable and preventing them from being sold second-hand. Additionally, police will be working to gather more intelligence on the individuals responsible for these thefts and where stolen devices are being sold.
The rise in thefts is believed to be driven by a growing demand for second-hand phones, both domestically and internationally. To address this issue, the Home Office will be hosting a summit with tech companies and phone manufacturers to explore innovative solutions to prevent the illegal trading of stolen phones.
Commander Richard Smith of the National Police Chiefs’ Council emphasized the importance of collaboration with manufacturers and the tech industry to reduce opportunities for criminals to profit from stolen devices. Efforts to combat thefts will also include increased patrols in high-risk areas and targeting habitual offenders.
In the event of a stolen phone, individuals are advised to contact the police and provide their IMEI number, a unique 15-digit code specific to their device. Network providers should also be informed to cancel the SIM card and prevent unauthorized use. Additionally, precautions such as removing the device from trusted accounts and changing passwords should be taken to safeguard personal data.
Both iPhone and Android devices offer features such as “Find My iPhone” and “Find My Device” to locate and secure stolen phones. The government is pushing for further enhancements to these anti-theft measures to make stolen devices permanently unusable, ultimately disrupting the business model of those involved in thefts.
As the government and law enforcement agencies work to address the surge in snatch thefts, the public is encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their devices and personal information from falling into the hands of criminals.
