Everybody is different, but generally people can be divided into broad groups – such as male and female. Some groups tend to be more vulnerable to certain threats and risks. This chapter discusses threats, vulnerabilities and risks to which everybody could be exposed. Later chapters concentrate on more specific groups.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are a useful tool and a highly desirable fashion accessory. There is always a new model coming out with ever more functions, and the mobile communications companies offer an increasing range of products and services from wireless ear-pieces to the latest ring tones. It seems that everybody over the age of about eight owns and frequently uses a mobile phone. The problem is that because they are so expensive, popular, small, portable and easy to conceal, they are also very popular with criminals.

Figures show that in 2001, at least 710,000 mobile phones were stolen. Some were stolen from desks or handbags but many were taken in muggings, (the police call this crime a street robbery).

Nationally about 40% of street robberies included the theft of a mobile phone, and very often the mobile phone was the only property taken! In London alone 1,200 mobile phones are stolen each month.

In the UK, more than 2,000 mobile phones, palm top, laptop and other portable electronic devices are stolen each day. Many of these items are recovered by the police, but quite often the legitimate owner cannot be traced. When reporting the loss or theft of mobile phones and other electronic equipment, some owners find it difficult to remember the make and model, and details such as serial numbers and identifying marks are rarely available.

The mobile phone industry hit back against crime by agreeing and introducing a scheme where a stolen mobile phone handset can be rendered useless, as soon as it has been reported stolen, if the owner has the right details available.

Imei Number

Every mobile phone has a fifteen digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. You will need this number if your mobile phone is lost or stolen.

To find and record the IMEI number for your phone, key in star, followed by the hash sign, then zero then six, then another hash sign: *#06#

As soon as you press the final hash sign, your mobile phone will display your IMEI number. Write it down accurately and safely, with the phone number for that mobile phone, the make, model and identifying marks, so that you can report it should your phone be lost or stolen.

If Your Mobile Is Stolen

Report the theft to the police as soon as you can.

Report the theft to your mobile network operator, with the phone number and the IMEI number as soon as you can.

The network operator will then remotely immobilise it so that it won’t work any more. The thief cannot run up a huge telephone bill making long distance calls to foreign countries. It will be a lot harder to sell as well.

The police and mobile network operators are hoping to stop thieves using or making money from the theft of mobile phones. If they can do that they could potentially stop thieves from stealing mobile phones at all. But, they need your co-operation to make it work.

Find and record the IMEI number for your mobile phone(s) now!

Mobile Equipment National Database

The Mobile Equipment National Database (MEND) is officially endorsed by the police and mobile phone networks. It was created to record the details of mobile phones and other electronic equipment, so that the police can track down the rightful owner if stolen property comes into their possession. MEND is free to use, and will allow you to record details of most portable electronic equipment such as

• mobile phones
• camcorders
• CD players
• desktop computers
• laptop computers
• computer games consoles
• hand held computers and personal organisers.

 

Visit www.menduk.org to register and record the details of your valuable electronic equipment for free. Then if any of your equipment is stolen, report it to the police and tell them that the details are recorded on the MEND database. Those details will then be recorded on the Stolen Equipment National Database (SEND).