Better mobile phone safety
Hammersmith and Fulham have launched a new initiative to raise awareness of mobile phone safety.
Hammersmith and Fulham have launched a new initiative to raise awareness of mobile phone safety.
Operation Rubik will also promote the benefits of registering their mobiles on the free database at www.immobilise.com.
The operation is particularly targeting the 10-17 age group with officers visiting schools. A personal letter from the borough commander to all parents and guardians of school children has been delivered so the issue can be discussed. Safer Neighbourhoods officers patrolling their wards will give leaflets and advice to people they meet using their mobiles in the street.
This operation is being carried out with the support of the Met Police`s National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) with crime prevention officers providing advice and guidance to all local officers involved. Since April, Hammersmith and Fulham Police have reduced street crime by 12% by targeting and arresting those persons known to be involved in offences of street crime.
Chief Inspector Keith Overstall of Hammersmith and Fulham Police, who is leading the operation, said: “In the last twelve weeks over three quarters of our street crime has involved the stealing of mobile telephones. In London almost 60% of the offenders are aged between 10 and 17 years and 25% of the victims are in the same age group. This operation will be focused on raising awareness especially in this age group and also using our proactive robbery squad to target our offenders.”
Detective Superintendent Eddie Thomson, of the NMPCU, said: “We would advise people to use their phones safely and wisely and be aware of the environment they are in.
If you lose your phone or have it stolen please report it to your network provider immediately and keep a record of your IMEI number to give to police. I would urge everyone to register their phone with www.immobilise.com which will assist people to recover the phone and catch the offenders.”
