The Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Bill backs moves by
mobile phone operators to bar stolen phones from their networks. It
contains proposals that would create new offences of:
- Changing the unique identifying characteristic of a mobile
phone – the IMEI number without written permission from the
manufacturer; and
- Owning or supplying the necessary equipment with the intent to
use it for re-programming mobile phones.
Government figures suggest that stolen mobiles are now involved
in 50% of all robberies in London. Home Office Minister John Denham
said:
“Mobile phone operators will soon have the
necessary systems in place to enable them to bar stolen phones
across all networks – putting them out of use. But if the unique
ID, or IMEI, number is changed on a stolen phone, it could continue
to be used. This Bill would mean those seeking to change the IMEI
on a phone could face five years in prison. It makes re-programming
stolen phones a crime in its own right and backs up police efforts
to tackle handling of stolen goods.
“There is no legitimate reason to re-program
a mobile phone. Those doing so run the risk of heavy penalties –
penalties they deserve because they are fuelling violent street
crime.”
An IMEI number is a unique 15-digit serial number for each
mobile phone. It can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones,
or by looking behind the battery of the phone.
