Latest Apple iPhone models have become phone snatcher’s favourite target, a recent report claims.
Research study conducted by the Home Office revealed that Apple’s iPhone 5, 5C, 5S and 4S handsets are most vulnerable to get stolen.
As per the Mobile Phone Theft Ratio, based on London crime data collected from August 2012 to January 2014, the four latest iPhone models- 5, 5C, 5S and 4S were the most targeted by thieves, followed by the Blackberry 9790 in fifth place. Additionally, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and S3 and HTC’s One X have also made it to the list of top ten.
According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, around 742,000 mobile phone theft cases were reported in the regions during 2012-13 with almost 100,000 mobile phone theft cases reported to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) during 2013 in London alone.
The report found that women and people aged 14 to 24 years old are the two groups most vulnerable to phone theft. Mobile theft incidents usually occur as a result of pick-pocketing and carelessness when the phone is left unattended.
Theresa May, Home Office Secretary, said that although crime levels have fallen by more than 10 percent, the level of mobile phone theft still remains to be a matter of major concern.
She stated that the Mobile Phone Theft Ratio will let handset owners know which mobile phones are most targeted by thieves and to keep themselves vigilant.
She said that introduction of new security features by the mobile phone manufacturers is expected to further aid in making phones less attractive to thieves.
