Police in crackdown on mobile thieves

South Yorkshire Police officers said they had already been working with licensees in Sheffield city centre to help raise awareness about mobile phone thefts.

The police force’s chiefs said plain-clothes officers were working with the owners and managers of premises in theft blackspots, with operations aimed at catching offenders targeting the mobile phones of people who are out socialising.

Officers are also working with neighbouring forces to share relevant information about thefts committed by criminals who may be travelling into the city to carry out the thefts.

Insp Darren Starkey, who leads Sheffield’s central safer neighbourhood team, said: ”Mobile phone theft is still a key issue for us, particularly during the weekend night-time economy.

“At this time of year it’s an ideal opportunity for thieves to steal in busy crowded places, and I want to advise mobile phone owners to keep their phones safe in their pockets or handbags, and don’t leave them unattended.

“I would also urge people to install a tracker app on their mobile phone, there are a number of apps that can be downloaded, that will help the police to track a phone if stolen. We have had some excellent results through people having done this and subsequently had their phone stolen.

“A 19-year-old man was recently sentenced to four months in prison for stealing 10 mobile phones from a Sheffield club in November this year. Staff at the premises played a key part in the arrest and we will continue to raise awareness of phone theft, through our licensee forum.”

Insp Starkey said his officers will continue to work on the issue into the New Year, when many people will have a new mobile phone as a present.