Mobile phone industry agrees to block stolen phones

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 28 Jul 2006 at 17:36

The mobile phone industry has signed up to a charter that should make stealing mobile phones a worthless crime.

Network operators, handset manufacturers and high street stores have signed the charter to tackle mobile phone theft by blocking the use of handsets that are reported as stolen on mobile networks, launching educational and awareness campaigns, conducting research and regular monitoring of the problem.

If successful, 80 per cent of stolen handsets will be rendered unusable on UK networks within 48 hours of being reported.

The signatories, all members of the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF), will work with the Home Office and the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU). Efforts will be made to raise awareness of how to register each phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) on the www.immobilise.com/.

Call centre and shop floor staff will also receive training on crime reduction and fraudulent insurance claims.

Jack Wraith, chair of MICAF, said that the new system is the first of its kind: 'The charter documents the importance of consumer awareness and the need for people to register their phones, so as to increase the chances of their phone being returned safely should it be recovered after being lost or stolen.'

Home Secretary John Reid said: 'I believe the public should be free to carry valuable items, such as mobile phones and MP3 players, on the street without fear of becoming a target.'