Crime reduction 

How to prevent mobile phone theft

Please register your mobile phone on the UK National Property Register (opens new window), free of charge.

Record your phone’s IMEI number, which is unique to each phone.

If the phone is stolen, this number is used by police to prove that the phone is stolen and to return it to the rightful owner. Display the IMEI by pressing * # 0 6 # (‘star’, ‘hash’, ‘zero’, ‘six’, ‘hash’).

Consider security and forensic marking to protect your phone.

More tips

• If your phone is lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible to 'Immobilise' on 08701 123 123. You will hear a recorded message which lets you know which number you need to phone to ask your phone network to block your phone.
• This can be done even if you don’t know the phone’s IMEI number. Your phone will be blocked immediately on your operator’s network, and within 24 hours on all other networks.
• Make sure that your personal items are insured.
• Keep a record of the make, model and serial numbers of your personal items. This helps police to recover them if they are stolen.