Prevention of mobile phone theft

In the age of high technology, everyone, even a small child, knows how to use a mobile phone. Currently, it is no longer a luxury item, as it was about 15 years ago, but a completely ordinary phenomenon. Moreover, it is so ordinary that we often forget that it is our personal property and we are obliged to take measures to preserve it. We no longer pay attention to whether we take it with us, whether we put it in our clothes pocket or in a bag after talking with relatives, friends, or just acquaintances. In this regard, a mobile phone becomes an increasingly easy prey for a criminal. In most cases, the main reason for mobile phone theft is precisely the carelessness of the phone owners themselves. Most of these thefts are committed after drinking alcoholic beverages. Often, "the green serpent" does not allow one to get home, and as a result, some fall asleep on benches, in courtyards, and in other places not very suitable for sleeping. In the 12 months of 2020 alone, 4 mobile phone thefts were committed in the Lepel district (4 in 2019), of which only 2 were solved.

To reduce the likelihood of being left without your phone, you need to remember simple rules:

- when in any public place, never leave your property unattended. Remember that shops, company offices, bars, and buses are public places; citizens' access to these places is unlimited, and by leaving your mobile phone, wallet, bank card, etc. there, you risk not finding them there, even if you return for them shortly;

- do not hand over your phone to strangers or unfamiliar people asking to make a call or look at it;

- purchase mobile phones only in specialized stores, do not buy phones "off the street" from unknown citizens, as it may turn out to be stolen. When purchasing a phone, it is necessary to keep the documents and warranty card. In case of theft of a mobile phone, in order to solve the crime quickly, it is not recommended to block the SIM card in the stolen mobile phone;

- when carrying a phone in a bag, it is recommended to attach it with a chain to a strap or clasp, for example, using a small carabiner;

- To avoid attracting the attention of criminals in the dark, switch your mobile phone to vibrate, and disable bright light effects.

Children often become victims of offenders. They frequently walk down the street with music playing on their phones, thereby showing them off. This provokes thieves and teenagers from disadvantaged families into an easy way of acquiring someone else's phone. They will simply snatch it from the child's hand. A similar situation can occur at school when pupils boast about their phones to others, and in most cases, use them for games and listening to music, and sometimes, without even noticing, forget them in classrooms.

To prevent mobile phone theft, children and teenagers should either leave their phones at home or carry them in bags and backpacks. Parents should not buy expensive phones for their children or, before purchasing, have a serious conversation with the child about the phone's purpose, its price, and the risks of theft and loss. If the phone cannot be prevented from disappearing and has been stolen, it is necessary to immediately contact the police at the place where the crime was committed. However, before filing a report about a stolen mobile phone, citizens must be thoroughly convinced that the phone has indeed been stolen and not lost.

Head of the Public Security Police Department of Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs

Police Lieutenant Colonel
Mikhno I.A.