Bedfordshire Police is encouraging parents to help protect their teenage children from mobile phone and MP3 thefts by following a few simple rules.
Once the clocks go back this weekend the afternoons will become much darker so by asking young people to be more discrete when using their mobile phones they have a greater chance of staying safe this half term.
The theft of mobile phones from young people can increase during the winter months as offenders are less likely to be seen committing crime so as part of this year’s Stay Safe Winter campaign police are urging parents to get their youngsters to follow these few simple rules:
Keep mobile phones, money or any items of value out of sight so as not to attract a potential robber’s attention.
Avoid walking in dark areas with insufficient lighting.
Avoid walking whilst texting or talking to prevent drawing attention to your phone.
If someone suspicious approaches you, try and cross the road or walk away to limit your chances of being involved in a confrontation.
Pay attention to someone approaching you from behind.
If an offence is committed, try and remember what the offender looks like and get a good description of their face and clothes, then contact the police immediately.
Register your mobile, MP3 player or iPod on www.immobilise.com in order to discourage theft and increase security. The web site allows the public to register their mobile phone and many other devices FREE, on the National Mobile Phone Register. The Register is a searchable, national police database that many forces have already assimilated in to their core investigative procedures.
Owners who register their phone at www.immbolise.com enjoy the following benefits:
Get your phone back: If you lose your phone or it’s stolen, there’s a better chance of getting it back because your contact details are on the Register.
Get your own back: Registering your phone and contact details on the web site provides the police with an excellent starting point when investigating mobile phone thefts. Police have caught and brought to justice many offenders through the use of the Register.
Crime Reduction Officer George Pugh said: “These are simple rules but following them could help young people avoid becoming victims of crime. If you are walking alone in the dark or in unfamiliar streets don’t show off your phone or MP3 player; keep an eye out for anyone suspicious who might approach you, particularly if several offenders try and box you in or trap you in an alleyway and always walk in well-lit areas.
He continued: “If you are the victim of a crime get the best look you can at an offender’s face for distinctive features. Try and remember what they are wearing, any distinctive logos or items of clothing will help police track them down. Call us immediately – the police can often track down offenders soon after an offence occurs if they have a good description and can target the area where the offence has happened.”
Anyone with information relating to phone or other property thefts should call Bedfordshire Police on 101, text Bedfordshire Police on 07786 200011, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.