Tag Archives: Crime

Immobilise, Mobile Phones, Uncategorized

The Growing Menace of Phone Snatch Theft and How to Protect Yourself

In today’s world, smartphones have become indispensable—they are our communication hubs, navigation tools, and often, our wallets!

They are often our most valuable personal possessions, always with us and frequently on display. This makes them prime targets for phone snatch thefts, a crime that is on the rise. Thieves target individuals in crowded places, using stealth and speed to steal phones before the victim realises what’s happening.

In this blog, we’ll explore common phone snatch theft scenarios, offer practical advice on how to protect yourself, and explain what to do if it ever happens to you.

Understanding Phone Snatch Theft

Phone snatch theft is a crime of opportunity. Thieves often target individuals who are distracted—walking while texting, standing on the street using GPS, or sitting in a café with their phone on the table. These criminals are quick and can easily disappear into a crowd or speed off on a motorbike before the victim has a chance to react.

Male Thief Riding On Bicycle Snatching The Mobile Phone From Woman’s Hand Walking On Street

Common scenarios include:

  • Public Transport: Thieves may snatch phones from the hands of unsuspecting passengers while they are entering or exiting buses, trains, or trams.
  • Busy Streets: Walking while using your phone can make you an easy target for thieves who can grab it and disappear in seconds.
  • Cafés and Restaurants: Phones left on tables or held loosely can be taken by thieves who pose as customers.
  • Motorbike Drive-By: Thieves on motorbikes often target pedestrians using their phones close to the road, grabbing the device and speeding away.

The Impact of Phone Theft

Losing a phone is more than just losing a device. The contents of a smartphone—personal data, photos, banking information, and more—are often irreplaceable and can lead to further issues like identity theft. Moreover, the emotional impact of being targeted in such a crime can leave victims feeling vulnerable and anxious.

How to Protect Yourself

While phone snatch theft is a real threat, there are several precautions you can take to minimise your risk:

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Always be conscious of where you are and who is around you. Avoid using your phone in areas where you feel unsafe or in environments that are crowded and chaotic.

2. Use Your Phone Discreetly
Try to keep your phone out of sight when not in use. When using your phone in public, hold it securely with both hands and close to your body, making it harder for someone to grab it.

3. Avoid Walking and Using Your Phone
If you need to check your phone, stop in a safe, well-lit area, preferably away from the edge of the pavement or street. Walking and using your phone distracts you, making you an easy target.

4. Invest in Anti-Theft Accessories
Consider using anti-theft phone cases, wrist straps, or phone lanyards that make it harder for thieves to snatch your phone easily.

5. Use Your Phones Anti-Theft Features
Enable ‘Find My Phone’ or Android’s equivalent, to help locate your device if it is stolen. Additionally, set up strong passwords, biometric locks, and remote wipe options to protect your data.

6. Don’t Leave Your Phone Unattended
Never leave your phone on a table in a café, restaurant, or bar, especially near the edge. Keep it in your pocket or bag, or hold it in your hand if necessary.

7. Be Cautious on Public Transport
On public transport, avoid using your phone near doors where a thief could grab it and exit quickly. Keep your phone in a secure pocket or bag when not in use.

8. Stay Alert to Suspicious Behaviour
If someone is acting suspiciously or getting too close to you, be cautious. Trust your instincts and move to a safer location if necessary.

9. Note Down Your Phone’s IMEI Number
You can access your IMEI by typing *#06# on your phone’s keypad. The unique 15-digit number can help track down the phone if it’s stolen.

10. Register Your Phone on Immobilise.com
Registering your phone increases the chances of it being identified and returned if it’s ever stolen. Our easy guide shows you how: Register a Mobile Phone (Immoblise.com).

What to Do If Your Phone Is Stolen

If you do fall victim to phone snatch theft, act quickly:

  • Report the theft to the police immediately, providing details of where and how it happened.
  • Use tracking apps like ‘Find My Phone’ to try and locate your device. Remember not to confront criminals yourself—always let the police handle it for your safety.
  • Notify your mobile provider to suspend your service and prevent unauthorised use.
  • Change all your passwords for apps and services linked to your phone, especially for banking and social media accounts.
  • Monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
  • Report the theft as soon as possible on your Immobilise account.

Phone snatch theft is a distressing crime that can happen to anyone. However, by staying vigilant and taking some basic precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Remember, your safety is paramount—no phone is worth endangering yourself. Stay aware, stay secure, and keep your phone protected.

Stay safe and keep connected responsibly!

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Report My Loss, Students

Safe And Sound: How To Have A Secure Festival Experience This Summer

Summer has finally arrived, and that festival you’ve been eagerly awaiting is just around the corner!

The UK is a nation of festival-goers. A study by UK Music shows that over 37 million people attended UK festivals and concerts in 2022!

Festivals are all about letting go and having a blast, but with so many people around, they come with unique security challenges.

It’s so easy to get swept up in the excitement of planning travel and other logistics that you might forget about securing your valuables.

Phones top the list of at-risk items at UK festivals, with over one in ten festival goers having lost, damaged or had a device stolen.

As with anything, planning is key to having a great time without any nasty surprises. Fortunately, there are steps you can take before and during the event to ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience.

Friends making selfies at the summer festival

Before you go…

Here are our top tips for securing your possessions before heading off to soak up the vibes.

  • Mark & register your valuables. Almost all of us will take a phone to an event, and it’s crucial to register it before you set off. Dial *#06# on your handset to reveal the 15-digit IMEI number(s) on the screen. Create an account on Immobilise.com and register the device’s make, model, IMEI, and serial numbers. It only takes a few minutes and is completely FREE. Add other identifiable marks using a UV pen or an asset label for an extra layer of security. Should you lose your phone and it is found, this will help the authorities return it to you. If you are taking other devices, such as a smartwatch or camera, register these as well.

  • Note important details. Write down the contact details for a friend and a family member you can reach, including your phone’s provider and your bank account information, in case you need to cancel cards or report the loss or theft of your phone. Keep these details on a piece of paper in a safe place—separate from your phone!

  • Check your travel insurance policy. If you have one, review it. You might be covered for trips in the UK lasting more than two nights, but ensure it includes tent stays.
    Additionally, consider personal possessions insurance. Check for policy exclusions or excess payments. This is often an add-on to contents insurance, so verify if you already have it with your home insurance.

  • Check if the venue is cashless. If not, use on-site cashpoints rather than carrying large amounts of cash.

When you’re there…

Following a few basic rules will help you enjoy the experience and keep yourself and your belongings safe.

  • Keep valuables out of sight. Don’t store them in outer pockets; instead, keep them in a secure location like a zippered pocket or money belt.

  • Use lockers if available. Some festivals offer free lockers where you can store items that might be targeted by thieves, like bikes or car keys.

  • Keep valuables to a minimum. If possible, leave your valuable phone at home! Consider taking an older phone instead of your latest model. Phone theft is common at festivals, so if you must take your phone, protect it with a passcode and turn on location tracking such as ‘Find My iPhone’. Additionally, consider using a crossbody lanyard case, making it much harder for someone to snatch it from you. Check out the latest phone lanyards of 2024 in the review below: Top 10 Best Phone Lanyards in 2024 – FindThisBest (UK)

  • Protect your phone. Use a waterproof cover to prevent damage from spills, being dropped in a puddle, or even a pint!

  • Secure valuables at night. Keep wallets, phones, cameras, car keys, etc., at the bottom of your sleeping bag where they’re inaccessible to others.

  • Be mindful of your surroundings. In the moment, you could get separated from your friends in a crowd. Knowing the layout will help you get your bearings. Make a note of where festival staff or security points are.

  • Look out for each other. Whether it’s your friends or other festival-goers, stay vigilant. If you see someone struggling, offer support by alerting the event staff.

  • Consider using a safeguarding app. These allow you to share your location with trusted contacts.
    Examples include:
    Imabi Community: a free tool for real-time safety alerts.
    Imabi Guardian: a free personal safety app.

  • Have a meeting place. Agree on a spot to meet up if you get separated. Just having a plan can reduce stress.

Festivals are tons of fun, and with careful planning, you can relax and enjoy them to the fullest. Get ready for an unforgettable festival experience!

Audience with hands in the air at a music festival

For more great tips on festival safety, check out Festival Safe.  

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, ImmobiTag

Secure Your Garden And Protect Your Home

When it comes to security, many people focus solely on their homes and the vehicles parked outside. However, gardens are often a primary target for thieves.

According to a 2022 study by Sunlife, a staggering 9 out of 10 household thefts occur in the garden (Ideal Home).

The ‘Hot’ Targets Lurking In Your Garden
Modern gardens are often filled with valuable items, making them lucrative targets for thieves, especially during the summer when we tend to leave them outside for convenience.

Ideal Home reported that the most frequently stolen items from outdoor living spaces are quality garden furniture, ornaments, power tools, lawnmowers, BBQs, and ladders (2022 data).

Securing Access Points To Your Home
While we like to view our gardens as peaceful sanctuaries, they are also often the first line of defence against burglars looking to gain access to our homes.

According to the ONS, in the year running up to March 2023, there were 525 burglaries a day in England and Wales; that’s one every 165 seconds!

To avoid becoming a statistic, remember that securing your garden not only prevents theft of the possessions you keep in it, but it also makes it much harder for intruders to access your home.


Two-Pronged Security Approach
To secure your garden effectively, consider a two-pronged approach:

  1. Secure high-value items.
  2. Make your garden less attractive to thieves overall.

Be Proactive!
Thankfully, there are plenty of proactive ways to deter burglars from considering your property an easy target.

Think like an intruder. Would you steal something that is clearly marked and registered to the owner? Probably not. Thieves aim to avoid anything that may link them to a crime and perceive it as not worth the risk.

Ways To Help Deter Theft:

  1. Register valuables: Immobilise.com is the world’s largest free register of possession ownership details and is searchable by all UK police. It is a powerful tool in the fight against property crime. Register your power tools, garden equipment, bicycles, and all other valuables with unique identifiers such as serial numbers or engravings. If your items don’t have identifiers, use a marking product like a UV pen, asset labels, or an etching tool.

  2. Visible warnings: Use window stickers and labels on items of property to warn potential thieves that your items are protected, both in vehicles and buildings. Often, the mere presence of a warning is enough to deter a break-in.

  3. Bikes: Bikes can be high-value, low-risk targets for potential thieves. If unprotected, they’re easy to resell in locations away from the theft. Statistics published by roadandmountainbikereviews.co.uk reveal that a bike is stolen every minute in the UK and fewer than 5% are returned to their owners. If you own one or more bikes, follow these steps:
  • Register them on Immobilise.com – our useful video below will guide you through the simple process.
  • Fit a security tag.
  • Use visible deterrents.

Enhancing Garden Security

A criminal will nearly always take the path of least resistance. They will choose the house with the overgrown hedge, unlocked gate or the house that has places to hide around it while they scope out what is worth stealing. Don’t let that property be yours!

We’ll explore some key ways to secure your garden:

  1. Boundaries: Ensure your fences and walls are secure. Adding a trellis or planting thorny climbers like Berberis, Hawthorn, Holly, or Pyracantha can be effective deterrents. These plants can also trap thieves, leaving behind valuable clues like torn clothes or DNA.

  2. Gates and pathways: Always keep gates locked and use high-quality locks. Gravel pathways can deter intruders due to the noise they make when walked on.

  3. Home entry points: Keep windows and doors closed when you’re not around. Installing proximity detectors, security lights, or cameras can add an extra layer of security.

  4. Sheds and outbuildings: Regular maintenance is crucial. A Which? report highlights that 22,500 households fall victim to shed burglary annually, with power tools and bikes being common targets (2019). Ensure your shed has strong locks and hinges, and consider motion sensors and security lights. Failing to meet the minimum standard or maintenance condition for your shed could result in an insurance claim being rejected if you’re targeted by criminals.

  5. Garden offices: Garden offices are becoming much more common. With computers and other expensive devices often left inside, it’s essential to secure the building. Check that windows and doors close properly and that the locks work efficiently. Consider adding an alarm system or CCTV and security lighting. Mark all your valuables with your postcode, register them on immobilise.com, and use deterrent stickers to let thieves know they are traceable.

Extra Steps You Can Take:

  • Be community-minded: As with many things, there’s strength in numbers, and this applies to home and garden security, too. Think about joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme or just agree to look out for each other’s property, especially when a house is empty.

  • Avoid sharing your absence on social media: Some opportunists use social media to gauge when houses are vacant. Don’t post those holiday photos until you get home!

Summary
Securing your garden and everything in it makes it a much less attractive target and is a vital step in protecting your property.

Ensure your outdoor space remains a haven of peace and not an entry point to your home!

Immobilise

Safety in Numbers

It’s true, there is safety in numbers. When neighbours pull together, the whole community becomes stronger. Every step you can take to protect your home, will also be a step in helping to protect your community. Don’t let your road become Easy Street!

Numbers matter. The number of people volunteering within a community, the number of police officers tackling crime, the number of people willing to do the right thing.

Another type of number matters too; serial numbers. They are the easiest possible way to identify an item. When police recover lost or potentially stolen items, they can enter the serial number – or any other unique identifier, for that matter – into a national database called the NMPR, to try to track down the rightful owner.

Did you know it’s completely free to add your valuables to this database? It’s quick and easy; you create an account on the Immobilise.com website and add the details of your items. Immobilise is the world’s biggest FREE ownership register, with over 35 million items already registered. If your valuable doesn’t already have a serial number or other unique identifier, you can add one by using a marking product such as a UV pen or asset label.

Registering your items doesn’t just safeguard your property and improve your chances of being reunited with them if they go missing. There are several other fantastic benefits; not just for you, but for your wider community as well:

  • Immobilise gives police the evidence they need to prosecute thieves; for example,  when they find them in possession of valuables that aren’t registered to them.
  • It also stops criminals from benefiting financially from theft, by alerting stolen goods database CheckMEND if a registered item goes missing.
  • If you go one step further and advertise your registration efforts through window stickers or labels on items, it will help to make your home (and by extension, your neighbourhood) look like a dangerous target for criminals. Thieves and burglars are looking for an easy life – and unmarked, untraceable goods to steal and sell.

By registering your valuable items and being part of a community committed to crime prevention, you can increase the chances of recovering stolen goods and deterring criminals. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take action – start protecting your property today, by registering it on immobilise.com

Bicycles, Crime, eBay, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Police, Recipero, Report My Loss, Students, Uncategorized

1 in 5 Students fall victim to property crime

It may surprise you that according to the National Union of Students, as many as one in five students fall victim to property crime whilst at college or university. 

Thieves know that student residences are full of expensive gear; laptops, tablets, phones, bikes and cameras provide rich pickings. In fact, the average break-in costs £900 to repair the damage and replace belongings.

A lot of theft is opportunistic – a few simple steps can be enough to make thieves think twice and move on. 

  • When you go out, make sure all windows and doors are locked. It’s an obvious one but double-check!
  • Check windows for vulnerabilities. Make sure they’re robust, secure and fitted with locks. If they’re not, speak to your landlord or letting agent. 
  • Don’t advertise your valuables to thieves. Ensure your valuables are not visible through windows. 
  • Register your possessions at Immobilise.com. It’s FREE and provides the simplest way to return your property if found after loss or theft. 
  • Keep your gate shut and bolted at all times. Ensure bins don’t make it easy for burglars to climb over walls or fences. 
  • Simulate occupancy with light timers or products like a FakeTV. 
  • Get insurance. It is tempting to save money, but it’s a false economy. Make sure it covers all your stuff. 
  • Bikes should be kept in the school’s designated areas and secured with a D-lock to an immovable object such as a ground-mounted loop. Don’t forget to register the bike at Immobilise.com

Registering your property at Immobilise.com is FREE. You can register property irrespective of any 3rd party labelling used; it’s all accepted!

Immobilise

10 Tips to Keep Your Home Secure While You’re Away

1. Lock all of your doors, not just the front! Including (if applicable) your garage door, side gate and shed, all of which can sometimes be overlooked.

2. Ensure all of your windows are secure. Be aware that some windows have winter and summer settings; the summer setting can be more vulnerable to tools such as crowbars. You can check for yourself by placing a piece of paper behind the seal, closing the window and pulling at the paper. If it’s difficult to remove and perhaps tears, the window is in winter mode. If it slides out gently, it’s in summer mode. There should be a screw mechanism on the side of the window that you can use an Allen key to adjust.

3. If you have a CCTV system or house alarm, test them to ensure they’re working properly. These are a great deterrent and could play a significant part in catching out any thieves. False alarms and cameras can also be bought to make burglars think twice.

4. Use automatic timers on lights, or other technology such as our TV Sim to make the house seem more lived-in from outside.

5. Ask trusted neighbours to check in or help out, collecting post or parking their car on the driveway every so often. If they’re very kind, they might also water your garden for you!

6. Don’t hide your spare key under your mat; use a key safe.

7. Ensure valuables are out of view from the windows.

8. Register your valuables on Immobilise – it helps police to identify the owners of recovered property, increasing your chances of your belongings being returned to you. It also simplifies insurance claims and police reports, with certificates of ownership available via your account.

9. Cancel all of your regular deliveries.

10. Don’t advertise your holiday on social media, as tempting as it may be!

Recipero

Recipero starts the integration into Transunion

Now Recipero is formally part of TransUnion after being acquired by the leading global risk and information solutions provider last month (19th June), there will be a phased approach to changing our appearance which we expect to complete by the end of the year. Becoming part of TransUnion is an important step in making it easier for companies to do business with us, both domestically and internationally, by providing access to greater expertise across global markets.

What does it mean for you?

During this time of change, our priority remains on continuing to deliver the excellent level of service and insight that our customers have grown to expect.

As the phased integration process continues, you will start to become familiar with TransUnion which already has a presence in over 30 countries worldwide. The company will be referred to as ‘Recipero, now part of TransUnion’ during the initial stage, as reflected in the logo.

If you have any questions about the acquisition and integration process, please reach out to your account management team or for more information you can click here.

We look forward to bringing you further news as our integration journey continues throughout the year.

NMPR, Recipero

How can the NMPR help with Police investigations?

Imagine a scenario where you’ve seized the mobile phone, tablet, laptop or other digital device in the course of your investigation. You’ve downloaded the contents or interrogated the device for evidence. With any luck, you’ve found something to assist you to seek well-earned justice for the victim in the case, but why stop there…

Tap the IMEI or serial number into the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR) which has a wealth unique data drawn from the Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem. To find the IMEI on any phone dial *#06#. Device data collected from various sources starts to form a picture of the device’s history and provides intelligence that can reveal more about the device itself than the contents of it, helping you make more of every lead.

We have helped to join the dots for a wide range of use cases and investigations ranging from all different types of crime, missing persons, organised crime, custody suite checks on property in the possession of detainees and many others.

If you are interested in finding out more about the ways the NMPR can help make you more efficient in the fight against crime then please get in touch. We recently helped North Wales Police with a week-long force-wide training roadshow which has already started to yield positive results.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to working with you soon!

Andrew Kewley
Police Business Development Manager
andrew.kewley@recipero.com

Bicycles, Crime, Fraud, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police

Preparation is the key to staying safe this winter

You will hear this saying a lot in the coming weeks leading up to Christmas. Preparation is not only a great idea help your Christmas planning run smoothly, but it’s worth preparing for those unforeseen circumstances around the festive period.
 

The last thing you want around this time of year is to worry about burglars but according to The Office of National Statistics, police recorded burglary is up by 3% and theft by 7% compared to last year. So, it is imperative we do as much as possible to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our property as safe as possible.

Follow a few simple tips for a safer holiday season:

Staying Safe this Winter

  1. Register on Immobilise: Before you get too busy with Christmas preparations take some time to record your valuable items on Immobilise, so you have a secure list of precious items.
  2. Deter potential criminals by investing in a motion sensor outdoor flood light and some Immobilise window stickers.
  3. Fake it till you make it, with a Fake TV that recreates the same flickering glow that looks like someone is watching TV, and invest in light timers especially if you are going away.
  4. Keep curtains closed, at night especially when it gets darker earlier and ensure Christmas presents are out of site.
  5. Don’t advertise on social media when you plan to go away. Publishing your movements can let burglars know when there is an empty house.
  6. Preparation is key. Be sure to cancel any scheduled deliveries such as newspaper or milk deliveries that might alert someone you aren’t there.
  7. Don’t hide spare keys. Burglars often watch a house for a few days before attempting to break in and leaving them a key makes it that much easier!
  8. Secure the outside of your home with deadlocks on windows and make sure any sheds or garages are secure.
Crime, Fraud, Immobilise, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Recipero, Report My Loss

Festival season is upon us, so keep your valuables safe!

It’s that time of year to kick back and relax at a festival and listen to your favourite kind of music but have you thought about how to keep your valuables safe from loss or theft.

Festivals can be an absolute goldmine for thieves, although there is plenty of advice out there about what is in vogue to wear at festivals this year, there isn’t much advice about protecting your property.

Opportunists can present themselves at any time especially in large crowds so whether you are protecting your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or HTC phone, or are worried about your wallet and camera there are a few things that you can do to keep your valuables safe.

  1. Firstly, you need to register any valuables on Immobilise, the national property register which is linked to the police database (NMPR) where if any property is found the police can run a search and return it to the rightful owner. It is a must do for gadgets such as your mobile phone, which you will want to take with you to a festival. You can register any property on Immobilise, so get registering!
  2. Try not to bring too many valuables in the first place, but if you do don’t leave anything unattended or in tent. Sometimes there may be free locker areas if you do have something you want to lock away.
  3. Keep valuables in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night.
  4. Only take as much cash as you think you will need and try separate cash from cards.
  5. Don’t put phones and wallets in your back pocket.
  6. Report any suspicious behaviour or crime to police immediately.

Stay safe this festival season and have a great time doing it!