Charges made after phony reporting of mobile theft
Hounslow Police stated this week that they will diligently look into all claims of mobile phone theft and take action against any person falsely reporting their phone stolen after a local man was arrested and charged after falsely reporting his mobile phone as stolen during a robbery.
The man made a police report earlier this year claiming that he was robbed by two youths and then contacted his phone provider asking for and receiving a replacement telephone.
Following an in depth police investigation and liaison with the alleged victim's phone providers it was established that in fact he was not robbed and was still in possession of the phone he had reported stolen.
The man was arrested on June 16th 2006 and charged with obtaining property by deception.
DCI Mencner from Hounslow Police said that "We will investigate thoroughly any allegations of mobile phones stolen particularly as a result of an alleged street crime. These enquiries will not only identify offenders involved in genuine crimes but also those people falsely reporting their phones stolen because they want a replacement or insurance claim. It is these time wasters that adversely affect the quality of service we can give to genuine victims of crime. I would strongly advise people not to falsely report their phone stolen. They need to realise that this will lead to a criminal record which could then subsequently affect their employment opportunities or indeed travel to some countries."
June 22, 2006