Research identifies mobile phone theft 'Top Ten'

The study showed that almost half of all mobile phones stolen in 2005 were Nokia. Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola make up most of the rest on the mobile hit list.

Using data from over 100,000 stolen phone crimes in London, the Loughborough research team found that in December 2005, the Nokia 6230 was top on the most stolen list, followed by the Motorola Razr, the Samsung D500 and the Sony Ericsson K750i.

The inspiration for the study was the Home Office's successful Car Crime Index, which prompted improved anti-theft designs in the car industry. The study, part of a project directed by Professor Graham Farrell which looks at designing-out phone theft, was published this week in the journal 'Justice of the Peace'.

The research looked at crimes recorded in Greater London during 2005 using data provided by the police National Mobile Phone Crime Unit.

Jen Mailley, lead author on the study, said: "Mobile phone theft has been increasing when many types of crime have been falling for years."

However the study's authors caution that it does not necessarily show which mobiles are more crime-prone than others.

"The top ten charts are a step in the right direction though," says Mailley, "because they empower consumers with information, which should stimulate anti-crime design efforts by the mobile phone industry."

The study was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. www.lboro.ac.uk