Cell Phone Thefts On The Rise, Say Police
The Age
Tuesday November 5, 1996
IN AN attempt to counter the thousands of mobile phones stolen every year, Victoria Police and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association have teamed up to produce a brochure.
Their action is prompted by concerns over the sharp rise in thefts - from 3000 in 1994-5 to more than 12,200 in 1995-6. While the large rise in mobile phone users partly accounts for the 294 per cent jump in thefts, police believe that carelessness is often a cause.
Senior Constable Steve Vanaperen of crime prevention and support services said that stealing from parked cars accounted for the greater proportion of mobile phone theft.
"If you are going to leave a phone in the car make sure it is in the glove box or in the console, or alternatively the best method is to take it with you. Have a common- sense attitude, don't leave it anywhere where someone might be able to swipe it."
Senior Constable Vanaperen said inscribing your drivers licence on the phone with "invisible ink" that is only seen under UV light, or an engraving pen aids detection in the event of a theft.
"We can actually trace mobile phones but it is an involved process. Just something this simple, by marking your phones, can save a lot of problems later on," said Senior Constable Vanaperen.
The brochure, titled Stop Mobile Phone Theft, offers this and other theft-prevention advice. Mobile phone users around Australia will be sent the brochure with their phone bill over the next three months.
© 1996 The Age
