22 October 2012
Stay Safe This Winter
Bedfordshire Police is encouraging parents to help protect their
teenage children from mobile phone and MP3 thefts by following a
few simple rules.
Once the clocks go back this weekend the afternoons will become
much darker so by asking young people to be more discrete when
using their mobile phones they have a greater chance of staying
safe this half term.
The theft of mobile phones from young people can increase during
the winter months as offenders are less likely to be seen
committing crime so as part of this year’s Stay Safe Winter
campaign police are urging parents to get their youngsters to
follow these few simple rules:
- Keep mobile phones, money or any items of value out of sight so
as not to attract a potential robber’s attention.
- Avoid walking in dark areas with insufficient
lighting.
- Avoid walking whilst texting or talking to prevent drawing
attention to your phone.
- If someone suspicious approaches you, try and cross the road or
walk away to limit your chances of being involved in a
confrontation.
- Pay attention to someone approaching you from behind.
- If an offence is committed, try and remember what the offender
looks like and get a good description of their face and clothes,
then contact the police immediately.
- Register your mobile, MP3 player or iPod on http://www.immobilise.com/ in
order to discourage theft and increase security. The web site
allows the public to register their mobile phone and many other
devices FREE, on the National Mobile Phone Register. The
Register is a searchable, national police database that many forces
have already assimilated in to their core investigative
procedures.
Owners who register their phone at http://www.immbolise.com/ enjoy the
following benefits:
- Get your phone back: If you lose your phone or it’s stolen,
there’s a better chance of getting it back because your contact
details are on the Register.
- Get your own back: Registering your phone and contact details
on the web site provides the police with an excellent starting
point when investigating mobile phone thefts. Police have
caught and brought to justice many offenders through the use of the
Register.
Crime Reduction Officer George Pugh said: “These are simple
rules but following them could help young people avoid becoming
victims of crime. If you are walking alone in the dark or in
unfamiliar streets don’t show off your phone or MP3 player; keep an
eye out for anyone suspicious who might approach you, particularly
if several offenders try and box you in or trap you in an alleyway
and always walk in well-lit areas.
He continued: “If you are the victim of a crime get the best
look you can at an offender’s face for distinctive features. Try
and remember what they are wearing, any distinctive logos or items
of clothing will help police track them down. Call us immediately –
the police can often track down offenders soon after an offence
occurs if they have a good description and can target the area
where the offence has happened.”
Anyone with information relating to phone or other property
thefts should call Bedfordshire Police on 101, text Bedfordshire
Police on 07786 200011, or contact the independent charity
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
