Top smartphones are targeted by thieves
Hundreds of expensive Apple iPhones and BlackBerry mobiles are being stolen across the region every month, police have revealed as they launch a crackdown on thieves ahead of the festive season.
Pub, clubs and shopping centres are targeted by pickpockets and thieves cruising busy venues to snatch devices, say officers.
Staffordshire Police revealed 1,454 mobile phones were stolen between April and September – an average of 242 per month. This included 310 iPhones and 277 BlackBerry phones.
Figures from West Midlands Police show an average of almost 500 iPhones and BlackBerry devices are stolen every month.
Force officers say this is around 75 per cent of all phone theft reports.
West Midlands Police has now launched a new crackdown with an awareness campaign ahead of the Christmas period. They say the operation is timely in light of the recent launch of the new Apple iPhone 5, worth at least £529.
Thefts of mobiles are expected to rise during the season for Christmas nights out and busy shopping trips.
Officers were out at Merry Hill Shopping Centre, in Dudley, Birmingham's Bullring and the University of Wolverhampton to drive home crime prevention messages yesterday .
People are being asked to register their phone and other gadgets on the national database www.im mobilise.com which helps reunite owners with lost or stolen items should they be recovered.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Parsons said: "There will be an increase in mobile phone purchases throughout the festive period and, particularly with the new iPhone launch, being blase about personal security could be a costly mistake as there are opportunists looking for easy targets."
