Mobiles are 75% of violent thefts

THREE quarters of violent thefts target mobile phones, according to a study by the police prefecture in Paris.

Half of thefts and three quarters of violent thefts in public transport concern mobile phones, the study revealed, with a majority of tactile screen phones.

In October, 1,264 mobile phones were stolen in public transport out of 2,723 total thefts. Out of those, 68 per cent were tactile screen phones, with a majority of iphones.

There were 991 violent thefts in October, 75 per cent of which were phones.

At the same time, the illegal resale of mobile phones is on the increase. According to the police prefecture, an iphone can be sold up to €250.

The Loppsi security law, which is currently under examination by the Assemblée Nationale, could force manufacturers to set up a device to lock stolen phones permanently, rendering them useless.

However, numbers published by the police prefecture in September showed that almost a third of theft complaints were false and made with a view to securing insurance payout.