Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

A new database launched on Friday by all UK mobile phone operators and the wireless industry body Global System for Mobiles Association (GSMA) aims to prevent stolen mobile phones from being used on any UK network, making them worthless to thieves.

The new shared database, the Central Equipment Identity Register, is a blacklist of mobile unique identifying codes (IMEI numbers) and enables all UK mobile network operators to disable a handset, not just the SIM card, making the phone unusable on any network once reported stolen or lost.

John Denham, Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction and Policing said: "Home Office research shows that mobile phones are involved in 28% of robbery... Our strategy aims to reduce [stolen phones'] value to criminals."

The new measure applies to both pre-paid and contract phones. To report a phone stolen and have it barred customers should call their own network operator.

The database is complemented by the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act, which came into force on 4th October, making it an offence to re-program the IMEI number on a mobile phone without permission from the manufacturer. It provides penalties of up to five years in prison.

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