Bid to curb theft of mobile phones

MOBILE PHONE firms are beefing up security measures to deal with the rising number of thefts.

Mobile operator 02 says that customers reported 24,000 phones lost or stolen last year. While Vodafone and Meteor do not have specific theft figures, Garda sources estimate that more than 60% of personal items stolen include mobile phones.

Vodafone is preparing an anti-theft database before its multi-media messaging phones which allow phones to send picture messages go on sale at Christmas. Each phone has its own security serial number, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI). If a phone is stolen, the mobile phone operator can use the number to turn off the phone, rendering it useless to the thief. All IMEI numbers are stored in a company's database, so thieves cannot use the phone by inserting a new SIM card.

"At the moment, the service is only available to a limited number of customers, but we will bringing it to everyone in the near future," said Vodafone spokeswoman Cara Twohig. For an IMEI system to work more effectively in Ireland, the three mobile phone operators Vodafone, O2 and Meteor need to set up a central database.

This database would be updated with the identity numbers of stolen phones. Otherwise a phone stolen from one network customer could be re-connected to another network using a new SIM card. Meteor's Andrew Kelly said: "If an agreement was proposed for a central Irish database, then we would support that. We see it as part of our responsibility and it would certainly stop a lot of small-time theft." Vodafone is also willing to take part in such a system, said a spokesperson.

However, the second-largest mobile operator, 02, is not in favour of a united Irish database.

02 spokesperson Aoifah Jones said: "Even if we could bar mobile identity numbers in Ireland and register barred numbers on a central database here, that would still not prevent mobile phone thieves from using stolen phones in the UK and other countries. So effectively, we would need a global database, possibly on a European or international level."

But the prospect of a European IMEI database, involving millions of phones and several large operators, is still a long way off.

Gardaí said they would welcome an IMEI database. "We would support any measure to discourage people from stealing mobile phones," said a spokesperson.

Most mobiles are stolen from handbags, cars and houses. But there have been cases where phones are snatched from owners' hands.

Gardaí say people should be aware of their surroundings when on a call and ensure phones are not left on display in cars.