Plymouth Police use Dragon’s Den invention in new anti-theft operation
From Wednesday 11th March, Police in Plymouth will launch a new operation to tackle the growing issue of smart phone thefts in the evening and night time economy.
Local policing teams will work in partnership with University of Plymouth Student Watch and Best Bar None to promote the online property marking service, Immobilse.
The teams will also be giving out myBungee phone cables, an innovative invention that has previously featured on Dragon’s Den. The myBunjee is a coiled cord that can clip to the inside of a handbag or belt loop of trousers and fits around a phone of any make and model, preventing any loss, damage or theft.
The pioneering invention has already been used by other forces, as a tool for crime prevention, and it is hoped that Plymouth will also reap the rewards.
With national statistic showing that one smart phone is stolen every twelve seconds, the city saw a rise in the theft of smart phones to a total of sixty-five incidents between December 2014 and January 2015, with 50% reported from licensed premises.
The loss of a phone is often devastating due the amount of information that is now be stored on smart devices, from photos and videos to messages and personal details.
This scheme is currently being piloted within Plymouth, but it is hoped that is proved successful, the initiative will also be rolled out right across the Force area.
Sgt. Miranda Dalton, Plymouth Community Safety Sergeant said: "Thefts of smart phones are becoming more and more common, and Op Immerse is a fantastic opportunity to use this fantastic new invention as a vital tool for crime prevention."
"Through other enforcement and awareness raising within the licensees’ community, we have already arrested a male during February of this year, who had a considerable number of stolen mobile phones in his possession."
"This is a clear demonstration of the value of partnership working and I’d like to thank the University of Plymouth Student Watch and Best Bar None for their support in this pilot."
Sarah German, Crime Prevention Officer said: "myBunjee is a brilliant new product that could save so many phone from not only being stolen, but also being lost or broken during an evening or night out’
"It is hoped that with this unique approach there will be a significant decrease in the number of thefts that we are currently seeing"
