Thieves Find Bars An Easy Source Of Phones & Bags | |||||
Council draws attention to increase your vigilance when out & about
Visitors to the borough’s pubs and bars are being reminded of the need to remain vigilant and keep their bags, phones and other valuables safe following a spate of thefts. Thieves have been stealing bags that have been left hanging on chairs or hidden under tables. They have also been targeting valuables like mobile phones and wallets that have been left in coat pockets that are often also hung on the backs of chairs. The thieves are finding easy pickings by swooping while people are distracted either whilst chatting to friends or visiting the bar. Detectives also believe that some thieves are targeting people’s bank cards after watching them withdraw money from cash machines or paying for drinks using hand-held card terminals. Officers suspect that thieves are ‘shoulder surfing’ people and watching as they enter their PIN number into the machines. Having learned the number they then follow them and look to steal their bank cards.
To reduce the chances of falling victim to thieves people should:
Supt David Chinchen of Wandsworth police said: One precaution people can take to safeguard their mobile phone is to make a note of its unique IMEI pin number. If the phone is stolen and later recovered by police then the officers will know immediately that it's been stolen and can return it to its rightful owner. The IMEI number will also provide the police with evidence that the person who has the phone will have either stolen it or be guilty of handling stolen goods. People who wish to make a note of their mobile phone's unique IMEI pin number can find out what it is by keying in *#06# on their handset.
April 14, 2011 |