Crackdown on mobile phone theft stepped up

Police, government ministers and network operators have pledged to step up the crackdown on mobile phone theft.

Plans include setting up a joint intelligence cell to investigate handset theft and target the criminal reprogramming of stolen phones.

The future of the lost and stolen phones database is secure after a guarantee from the GSM Association and ministers said other countries will be encouraged to participate in order to try and get full coverage of the European market.

The 'Immobilise' campaign to get people to report and block stolen phones will be continued and events to raise awareness of the database, which can block mobile phones on any network even if the SIM card has been changed, will be held around the country.

Ministers also secured a guarantee by the mobile industry to reduce to a minimum level existing non-unique IMEI numbers present on their networks by the end of the year. IMEI numbers are the identifying tags for phones, and the fact that many mobiles currently share the same number makes it difficult for operators to block those with a non-unique IMEI.

Ecommerce minister Stephen Timms said in a statement: "We were particularly encouraged by the efforts of the networks and manufacturers to continue to make the IMEI numbers tamper proof.”

But he warned that while the crackdown on phone thiefs would continue, those who fraudulently submit insurance claims would also be targeted.

He said: “We also discussed the problem of false insurance claims and agreed that this would be the subject of further action. Government and industry cannot do this alone, we also need mobile 'phone users to play their part and take responsibility for the safety of their phones. They must also be clear that false reporting for insurance purposes will not be tolerated."