Elsa McLaren and agencies have reported in the Times today "Vodafone, O2, T Mobile, Orange and 3 have signed up to an industry charter agreeing to blacklist 80 per cent of stolen handsets within 48 hours of being reported stolen, a move that industry bosses said will cut crime by making the phones less attractive to thieves. It is also reported street crime has increased by 8%, which the Government has suggested to be linked to the increase of percepted high value goods being portable and attractive to muggers

Jack Wraith, chairman of the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF), said: “We are committed to doing all we can to reduce the number of phones being stolen in the UK. The charter clearly sets out the key steps the industry will take to help cut mobile phone theft further so as to ensure that people can continue to use their phones, safe in the knowledge that measures are in place that will make them worthless to thieves if they are stolen.

John Reid, the Home Secretary, said: “I welcome this commitment by the mobile phone industry leaders, to make mobile phones less attractive to thieves and demonstrate their clear commitment to their customers’ safety. " He also comments "...the Government would give £ 1.35million to the National mobile phone unit over the next two years to tackle the problem"

The police suggest you can help by registering your phones and other property at www.Immobilise.com.