Street Crime
Mobile Phone Barring Database Launched
Mobile phones are involved in 28% of robberies. The mobile phone database can prevent stolen mobile phones from being used on any UK mobile network helping to make them worthless to thieves. 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 Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002 came into force on October 4 2002, and makes offences of:
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Changing, without the authorisation of the manufacturer, the unique identifying characteristic of a mobile phone – the IMEI number; and
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Possessing, supplying or offering to supply the necessary equipment with the intent to use it for re-programming mobile phones.
The offences carry maximum penalties of five years' imprisonment or unlimited fines or both.
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's unique identifying code (IMEI number).
To report a phone stolen and have it barred customers should call their own network operator. The relevant numbers are:
Orange
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Contract 07973 100150
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Pre-pay 07973 100451
Vodafone
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Contract 07836 191191
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Pre-pay 08700 776655
O2
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Contract 08705 214000
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Pre-pay 08705 678678
T-Mobile
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0845 412 5000
Virgin Mobile
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0845 6000 789
The Industry's shared database (Central Equipment Identity Register) will make it possible to bar mobile phone handsets across all networks once a phone has been reported stolen or lost to the individual's mobile phone network operator. The Central Equipment Identity Register is a shared database of blacklisted International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) handset numbers. All mobile phone network operators in the UK will disable the phone by reference to the unique IMEI number of the handset. This means that the handset itself (not just the SIM card which can easily be swapped) will be barred and will be unusable on any network, even if a new SIM card is inserted.
Additional advice from the Home Office to coincide with the launch of the database is to:
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Register your phone with your network operator. This will make barring easier.
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Record your IMEI number and your phone number and keep these in a safe place separate from your phone. Your IMEI number can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind the battery of your phone.
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Report the number of your stolen phone to your network operator as quickly as you can. It can now be disabled.
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Remain alert. Your phone is a valuable item. When you are out be aware of your surroundings and don't use your phone in crowded areas or where you might feel unsafe.
In addition, the Government is encouraging manufacturers to enhance the security of 3G devices by considering and evaluating new security options. The desired end result is the development of a long-term 3G strategy for improving the security of mobile phone handsets
The Home Office is also working with police and industry to raise awareness of the new measures and encourage people to report their phone stolen. A mobile poster van is touring robbery hotspots to alert potential victims and thieves. Five million crime prevention leaflets will be distributed.
Last update: 01/11/02