Apple’s latest iPhone models are the smartphones most likely to be targeted by thieves, according to a new Government list for consumers.
A Mobile Phone Theft Ratio has been published by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to show which handsets are most likely to be stolen.
The list, based on data for the period August 2012 to January 2014, is topped by the Apple iPhone models 5, 5C, 5S and 4S, followed by the Blackberry 9790 in fifth place. Samsung Galaxy and HTC phones also feature on the index.
Ms May said: “The level of mobile phone theft remains a concern and people are increasingly carrying their lives in their pockets, with bank details, emails and other sensitive personal information easily accessible through mobile phones.
“The Mobile Phone Theft Ratio will inform consumers about which mobile phones are most targeted by thieves. We are also working with industry to stop the reactivation of phones overseas, thereby killing the export market on which organised criminals rely.
“The mobile phone industry is already taking vital action to introduce features that enable phones to be tracked and wiped if they are stolen.
There were 742,000 victims of mobile phone theft in England and Wales according to the 2012/13 Crime Survey for England and Wales.
The paper shows that people are most likely to have their phones stolen directly from their person, through pick-pocketing, or when the handset is briefly left unattended, for example at a table in a bar.
