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From the archive · Press release
Mobile Phone Theft
Tougher sentences for mobile phone robbery, and why it worried schoolchildren in Newham.
Originally published 30 January 2002
From the archive. Between 1998 and 2003 this domain carried the constituency website of the Member of Parliament for East Ham. This page keeps one of its items as a historical record, with the original date restored. East Ham Ledger, which publishes the site today, is an independent magazine and has no link to any MP, party or Parliament; contact details and the names of private individuals have been removed, and lost pictures have been replaced with credited photographs of the places concerned.
Pictured today: Photo: Donald Trung / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, today welcomed the introduction of new guidelines to target mobile phone theft. Under the new plans, unveiled by the Lord Chief Justice yesterday, mobile phone muggers can now expect tough jail sentences, and may be inside for 5 years or more.
In recent months, there has been a sharp increase in the number of mobile phone thefts both nationally and in Newham, and it was a subject Mr Timms discussed with pupils on his recent visit to St Stephen's Primary School. The East Ham MP recognises that mobile phone crime is a serious concern for local schoolchildren in particular, and points to statistics recently published by the Home Office which showed that schoolchildren are five times more likely to be targeted by mobile phone thieves than adults. In a Question and Answer session with pupils, Mr Timms also expressed his view that mobile phone companies should share the responsibility for preventing the theft of mobile phones.
Mr Timms commented: "A number of constituents have come to me with their concerns about mobile phone theft and it is a concern that I share. I welcome the introduction of tougher sentences for mobile phone thieves and I hope that they will deter people from carrying out such crimes".
