Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Rain and drizzleNews
| 
Submit Comments
HI-TECH alert: Inspector Neil Bhole, Sgt Alan Hamlin and Sgt Imran Abbasi.
Alert over hi-tech thieves who scan cars for laptops
Nick Towle16/ 6/2005
EXCLUSIVE
POLICE say advanced technology in mobile phones is behind a steep rise in vehicle crime in south Manchester.
Thieves are using new 'blue-tooth' phones to detect whether motorists have left mobiles or laptops in their cars. The 'blue-tooth' facility enables thieves to locate compatible electrical items - even if they are hidden away in a boot or glove compartment.
Police say the new technology is allowing criminals to selectively steal from cars with expensive laptops and mobile phones which also have 'blue-tooth' facilities.
In Chorlton, police estimate that out of the last 35 recorded vehicle crimes, at least 20 involved the use of these high-tech phones.
Sergeant Imran Abbasi, of Chorlton Police, said: "It's become quite endemic in Chorlton. They're not picking cars out at random - in many cases they know there's something in there."
The thieves are using the same technology that allows mobile phone users to send pictures and clips to their friends, as well as free test messages to strangers with compatible 'blue-tooth' phones.
Sgt Abbasi added: "If it comes up on the thief's screen it's a green light to go and break in. Around Chorlton's shopping areas they're more likely to find an expensive laptop."
The thieves have been targeting busy shopping districts where they can take their pick of cars parked by shoppers.
If they pass a car with 'blue-tooth' electrical items, a signal will appear on the screen of the thief's mobile displaying the make or model of the valuables inside. To counter the new trend police launched the anti car-crime initiative Operation Kancun.
As part of the four-week blitz, high-visibility officers swamped Chorlton's shopping centres and gave out advisory leaflets warning motorists of the dangers.
The operation has reduced car crime in Chorlton by 50 pc since its launch last month.
But Inspector Neil Bhole, head of Chorlton's area policing team, warned: "There are a lot of problems with high-powered business people coming into Chorlton with their laptops in the car.
"If they do not switch them off completely, and leave them on standby, there is a good chance they will be stolen."
He added: "This type of thing has been around for the last six months but it's getting worse. I must stress that anyone with a laptop does not leave it in their car and that if they do they must make sure it's switched off, particularly if it's a 'blue-tooth' device'.
"The technolgy now exists which allows criminals to identify out-of-view laptops and mobile phones in vehicles and selectively break in to steal them."
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
20/06/2005 at 13:35
Got an opinion you want to share?| Card | BT Fee |
| Barclaycard Platinum | 2.9% |
| Capital One BT Platinum Card | 3.0% |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse | 2.5% |
| Egg Card | 3.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Loans | 7.5% |
| Barclays | 7.9% |
| Moneyback Bank | 8.4% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 8.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 8.8% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.20% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.00% |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Fixed Rate Account |
7.00% |
|
ARRAY(0x2b7c6faefe80) 6 Month Fixed Rate Savings Account |
6.60% |
The second issue is that almost all laptops are set up so that they will not respond to an unknown Bluetooth device, so they won't be detected. It's also a good idea for phone owners to put their handsets in "hidden" mode. That way they'll also stay hidden, and are less likely to get unwanted messages.
So nice story, shame about the reality. But thank you to Manchester police for creating another urban myth
21/06/2005 at 14:40