Cellphone theft drops due to preventive steps

By Intikhab Ali


KARACHI: Although the figure is still high, there has been a sharp decline in cases of mobile phones being snatched after the introduction of preventive measures.

During the last seven days 254 cases were reported across the city, down from about one hundred reportedly stolen every day.

Sindh police and the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), have introduced a software system to control the crime.

Sindh police has introduced the software in collaboration with the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association (KEDA), and the CPLC itself introduced a software system.

CPLC chief Sharfuddin Memon told Daily Times that in the past few months theft of mobile phones was the biggest street crime, To cope with it, the CPLC arranged meetings with mobile phone companies and officials concerned of the Sindh police to root out this crime, he said.

In conclusion, it was decided that a system should be introduced in which the citizens must have the IMEI numbers of the mobile phone like the engine/chassis number of the vehicle for verification, and inform the police and the CPLC immediately after losing their mobile sets, so that they could be jammed and unable to be resold or used. The CPLC chief said if victims informed the police through 15 Madadgar, the CPLC help line number 568-2222, and the help line of the KEDA, the stolen cell phones would immediately be jammed.

Earlier, the Sindh police had informed people through announcements and advertisement that cell phone holders press should press *#06# to learn their IMEI numbers, note it secretly and in case of snatching or theft, inform the mobile phone company and police, immediately.

But now, the Sindh police and CPLC has introduced the software system to curb this menace.

As the news spread of the software system being introduced for prevention of mobile phone theft, a sharp declined has been observed, Mr Sharfuddin Memon said.

Data of sold and purchased mobile phones from shops, including those stolen or snatched with International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) number are installed.

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