A new mobile phone database will prevent stolen mobile phones from being used on any UK mobile network helping to make them worthless to thieves, the Government says.
A new mobile phone database will prevent stolen mobile phones from being used on any UK mobile network helping to make them worthless to thieves, the Government says. Reporting the number of your stolen phone to your network operator will now enable it to be cancelled like a stolen credit card. This applies to both pre pay and contract phones. The new shared database set up by all UK mobile phone operators and the Global System for Mobiles Association means stolen phones can now be barred on all networks, by reference to the phone&rsquos unique identifying code (IMEI number). The database is complemented by the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act which came into force on October 4. The legislation enables the police to tackle those fuelling the trade in stolen mobile phones with penalties of up to five years in prison for those caught reprogramming the IMEI number on mobile phones. The measures are by the Government, mobile phone industry and police to crack down on mobile phone theft.
What they say
John Denham, Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction and Policing said: ?Home Office research shows that mobile phones are involved in 28 per cent of robbery. The package of measures we have developed together with the industry and the police will help to build on the reductions we have already seen as a result of the street crime initiative. Our new legislation enables the police to take action against those fuelling the trade in mobile phones.?
Jack Wraith, Executive Secretary to the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum said: ?The Mobile Crime Action Forum, who represent all UK mobile networks as well as the major handset manufacturers welcome this joint initiative which is aimed at preventing the use of stolen mobile phones on networks here in the UK. With the dramatic increase in the number of mobile telephone users it is important that the customer can have the assurance that if their phone is stolen it will be worthless to the thief. The message to the thief is clear, this industry will not condone criminal activity.? Visit www.crimereduction.gov.uk
