Police urge mobile users to hang up on phone theft

On Monday 19 November at about 1900 hours a 33 year-old woman was walking in Bedford Road N22 while talking on her phone, when two suspects rode up behind her on a moped and the passenger grabbed her Iphone from her hand.

At around the same time, a 32 year-old woman was walking in Buskingham Road N22 while using her phone when a moped mounted the pavement and rode alongside her and the passenger tried to snatch her phone but rode off empty handed.

The past week alone has seen police charge five people with robbery offences, and more arrests made in relation to handling stolen goods and thefts. However, in light of reports of phone snatches taking place across London, police in Haringey are advising mobile phone users to be alert.

DI Jason Turkington of Haringey CID said: "Many mobile phone thefts happen in crowded areas, near transport hubs and main roads, so if you use your mobile phone when you're out, please be aware of what's going on around you and if you must make a call, do so quickly and hang up, so you don't get distracted by the conversation and find your phone getting unwanted attention from a thief. We are working with neighbouring boroughs to identify and catch those responsible and urge you to take some simple preventative steps."

o Watch out for bikes and mopeds - especially if they mount the pavement - if they could grab your phone as they ride by, stop using it and put it away.

o Move away from transport hubs: Don’t check your phone as soon as you leave a tube or train station - leave it a while, or walk into a shop to check it

o Stay alert: Don’t text while you’re walking - you will be less aware of what is happening around you

o Protect behind you: If you can, stand with your back against a wall when using your phone so nobody can come up behind you

o Don’t tempt thieves:  Be discrete when using your phone, don’t leave it on the table in bars and restaurants, and don’t leave your bags unattended.

o If you must use your phone in public, make it quick, to minimise the chance you becoming distracted by the conversation and a thief spotting your phone.

o Register your phone: Register your phone and other property www.immobilise.com – it can help police return your property to you and catch thieves. You will need your phone’s 15 digit IMEI number, which you can find by typing *#06# into your phone.

o Install and activate a locating App for your phone, such as 'find my Iphone', or similar for a smart phone and make sure you set a screen lock on your phone.

Find out more: Visit www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/personal.htm 

If your phone has just been stolen and the suspect is still in the area call police on 999. If your phone has been stolen and the suspect is no longer in the area, report it by calling 101, the non-emergency police number.