Research and analysis

Reducing mobile phone theft and improving security

Information about mobile phone thefts, what the police and industry have been doing to reduce mobile phone thefts, and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Documents

Reducing mobile phone theft and improving security

Details

The paper, drawing on results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales and mobile phone theft data in London between 1 August 2012 and 5 January 2014, sets out the most detailed evidence yet on how and when mobile phones were stolen, which types of phone were most likely to be stolen, and who is most at risk. It includes the first ever Mobile Phone Theft Ratio, based on the August 2012 to January 2014 data, which shows how likely the top makes of handsets were to be deliberately targeted.

The paper recognises the work of the police to tackle mobile phone theft, and also the steps taken by mobile phone operators and manufacturers to improve phone security and reduce mobile phone theft. The paper sets out the first analysis undertaken from the available data, and we look forward to conducting further analyses over time, which will provide clearer evidence of the impact that new mobile phone security features are having on levels of theft.

Published 7 September 2014