Crime Prevention Message

On this month’s Crimecall, Sergeant Deirdre O Neill discussed mobile phone theft /security vehicle security and Burglary advice.

Mobile phone theft is an inconvenience on many levels. Firstly it’s an expensive piece of tech which can be costly to replace but it also serves not only as a phone and our main point of contact but very often the key to a lot of data that we use every day – banking, bills, photos, school and college information even the weather.

During 2022, over 8,700 mobile phones were reported as stolen / lost with an approximate reported value of over €4.5million.

So far this year, over 2,800 phones were reported as stolen / lost with an approximate reported value of nearly €1.7million.

The average value of a reported stolen / lost phones has increased year on year. So far this year, the average value is nearly €600.

A high proportion of thefts can be linked to the night time economy, with 24% of all incidents taking place on a Sunday (11.5% taking place between midnight and 3am). There is a significant increase in recorded cases on Saturday and Sunday, each week.

Theft and Robbery of Mobile Phones 2022 and 2023:

While the number of incidents of theft or robbery of a mobile phones reported in 2020 and 2021 was lower than figures from 2018 and 2019, this is most likely because of the restrictions placed on the country during lock down periods. The number of incidents recorded increased in 2022 but remains significantly lower than the 2019 and 2018 figures.
However, based on calculations for year to date, the number of mobiles reported as stolen in 2023 has exceeded that of 2022 by 4.8% for the same period (i.e. 1st of Jan to 3rd of May).
The months of the year in 2022 with highest number of incidents were March, July (highest), August, October and November
The number of incidents of theft / robbery of mobile phones recorded in March 2023 (377) is higher than the numbers recorded in 11 out of 12 months in 2022 (July 2022 being the only exception at 380)
In 2022, 75% of mobile phones reported stolen were in the Dublin Region. The figure for 2023 to date is closer to 77%. In 2022, DMR South Central accounts for 38% of these incidents and DMR North Central accounts for 20% of same

Some basic tips to keep your phone safe:

Register your Mobile Phone with your Service Provider.
Take a careful note of your unique 15 Digit Mobile Phone IMEI number. (The IMEI number is located on the back of your phone underneath the battery, or you can locate it by dialling * # 06 # on your keypad). Consider using the Property App to store the information but reminder to upload it to a cloud server or email it to yourself. That way you can access the data from another device.
Enable the PIN Security feature and keep your Phone locked when not in use.
When out and about, keep your Mobile Phone out of public view, be streetwise and always be aware of your surroundings.
Never leave your Mobile Phone behind in an unattended vehicle.
Property mark your Phone with unique personal letters or numbers.
Avoid making calls or texting on your Phone while crossing the road.
If making or receiving a Mobile Phone call in public, always do so with full awareness of your surroundings so that you can reduce the opportunity for the phone to be stolen.
If you a have a Smart Phone, consider downloading a location finder App.
If your Mobile Phone is lost or stolen, immediately report it to An Garda Síochána and contact your Service Provider in order to have your IMEI number blocked, so that it can’t be used.

Mobile Phone Banking Apps Security:

Make sure you use two factor authentication on your banking apps, this will reduce the chance that even if the phone is stolen while in active mode there will be a further security layer, hopefully preventing the criminals from accessing your funds. This usually takes the form of a personal question or a biometric print from your finger.
Always avail of the updates for the apps in settings as these often improve the security features and may further protect your data.
Never use public wifi for banking, either use your own service provider or wait until you can use a secure wifi network.
Consider a physical record of your passwords so that you can still access your apps and data if your phone is stolen or lost. But this record should be securely stored.

Car Safety

Become familiar with your route before you start the trip.
If you have rented a car, make sure it is in good working order. Learn how all the windows, door locks and other equipment work before you leave the rental premises.
Keep car doors locked while you are driving.
Don’t leave luggage or valuables visible inside a parked car.
Don’t leave luggage attached to a roof rack.
When visiting city centre areas, park your car in a secure car park and retain the parking ticket on your person.
Always lock your car when leaving it unattended, even for brief periods.
At night, park in well-lit areas.
When checking into your accommodation, always ask about secure car parking.

Theft from Cars

We are advising the public to take care of their property when parking in remote, unguarded locations:

Leave your valuables at home where possible.
Choose your parking spot carefully. Well maintained and well-lit car parks are best.
Avoid areas with evidence of break ins, such as broken glass or anti-social behaviour.
Do not park illegally or obstruct vehicles.

When leaving your car:

Take your keys.
Secure and conceal valuable property.
Leave the empty glove box open.
Make sure all doors, windows are locked, and car is alarmed.
Report suspicious activity and crimes to 999/112.

When is it happening?

Over the last 5 years, 60% of theft from car incidents, associated with outdoor activities such as coastal and scenic areas, were reported in summer (April – Sept).
The majority of thefts from cars in coastal and scenic locations occur on the weekends between 2pm and 7pm.

What’s taken?

The average value of cash stolen from vehicles per incident is approximately €330.
Jewellery /Trophies were the highest value objects stolen.
Tools accounted for the highest total amount of value stolen.

Burglary advice when going on holiday, remember to:

Secure all windows and doors
Use timer switches or smart apps to turn on lights around your home
Cancel home deliveries and consider using a mail minding service
Ask someone you trust to check on the property at different times of the day.
Tidy up before you go on holidays. Overgrown lawns or shrubs could give the impression that no one is at home.
Lock away tools, ladders and other items that could be used to break into your home.

Social media

While on holiday be mindful of what you share on social media
Avoid posting about upcoming holiday plans.
Do not post status updates or pictures from your vacation while you are away