KL SNA

Further info to be aware of....... 3 phones were stolen from lone victims in the early hours in the city centre today. The offenders M.O. is to approach, give a so called friendly hug to "cajole and befriend" the victim and then dip the phone, usually from their pockets. Please be aware of this in the city centre during the night time economy with the weekend coming up. Annoyingly, we have had at least one person falsely reporting being subjected to robbed of their phones in the street, who are currently subject to wasting police time processes. This is detrimental to real victims of crime and also diverts police officers wasting effort on false reports/investigations. The male caught last week stealing a phone, by the member of the public, was charged with another 2 similar offences and remanded in custody. Thanks Inspector Darren Starkey

Over the weekend we have seen further thefts with phones being carelessly left on open view. Officers visited 31 cafes yesterday and saw over 100 phones and other items on open display inviting thieves - officers advised people of the risk of having items stolen. On Friday, an eagle eyed member of the public caught a thief in action in the city centre stealing a phone from a female. The phone was recovered and the offender quickly arrested by plain clothes officers from the team. A massive thanks go to the member of the public whose actions led to the arrest and recovery of the phone. Thanks Inspector Darren Starkey

A man is in police custody having been arrested on suspicion of theft of a mobile phone from a male victim on Eldon Street, City Centre in the early hours of today. For info the Students Union on Western Bank was targeted night before last - at least 5 phones stolen from people in there from bags etc. On-going investigations into the male arrested and the crimes from the Students Union. Thanks Inspector Darren Starkey

Hi The stats are based upon the number of crimes recorded per 1000 people in certain places where we have had high numbers of mobile phone thefts e.g. 250 per 1000. That gives the risk of becoming a victim of this type of theft. Main issue is I want to warn people to be on their guard against the thieves and to report anyone that may be involved etc as we have seen increases this last week compared to previous weeks. Thanks Inspector Darren Starkey

All Be aware mobile phone thieves are targeting cafes and bars during the day time this week in the city centre and as far down as London Road and up to Broomhill now. We have seen an increase this last week particularly since the students have returned to Sheffield. Thieves are distracting customers with leaflets and menus in order to steal mobile phones from tables. Please phones safe and out of obvious view. Anyone looking/acting suspicious or who doesn't seem right with leaflets or menus, ring 999 so we can get officers there as soon as possible. The thieves will visit different premises and may have a number of stolen phones with them. Likewise on a weekend, a high number are being stolen from clubs and pubs in the city centre - in some places on West Street you have a 1 in 4 chance of having it stolen! There are free GPS tracking apps for iphones and smartphones that you can download as well as register it for free on immobilise.com We have officers working in plain clothes during the day and weekend nights as part of a policing operation. Many thanks Inspector Darren Starkey