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Bill Published To Tackle Mobile Phone Theft
Source:www.number-10.gov.uk, Source date:
A government Bill has been published which aims to make stolen phones of little use or value. New offences in the Bill could mean five years in prison and unlimited fines for those re-programming stolen mobile phones.
The Bill is a key measure in the Government and industry's strategy to make stolen phones of little use or value. It backs moves by mobile phone operators to bar stolen phones from their networks.
The Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Bill contains proposals that would create new offences of:
· Changing the unique identifying characteristic of a mobile phone , the IMEI number; and
· Owning or supplying the necessary equipment with the intent to use it for re-programming mobile phones.
An IMEI number is a unique 15-digit serial number for each mobile phone. It can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones, or by looking behind the battery of the phone.
Mobile phone thefts have been a key factor in rising street crime - stolen mobiles are now involved in 50% of all robberies in London.
Home Office Minister John Denham said:
"Mobile phone operators will soon have the necessary systems in place to enable them to bar stolen phones across all networks, putting them out of use."
"But if the unique ID, or IMEI, number is changed on a stolen phone, it could continue to be used. This Bill would mean those seeking to change the IMEI on a phone could face five years in prison."
"It makes re-programming stolen phones a crime in its own right and backs up police efforts to tackle handling of stolen goods."
