Romina, a tourist from Argentina, had her phone stolen while shopping in Dublin. When her friend called the stolen phone, a man answered, demanding payment to return it. After visiting Store Street Garda Station, Gardaí coordinated to apprehend the man during the arranged meeting, successfully recovering Romina's phone. This incident highlights a broader issue, with almost 6,200 mobile phones stolen in the Dublin area within a specific timeframe, but recovery rates are alarmingly low. Gardaí provide safety tips to reduce the risk of theft, emphasizing registration with service providers and vigilance in public.
Romina was visiting Dublin from Argentina with her friends last Saturday when her phone was stolen. One of her friends called the phone and a man answered, offering to sell it back to her. [But] we were there waiting for him instead. He was quickly arrested and Romina's phone was recovered.
From January 2023 to July 2024, a total of 6,184 mobile phones were reported stolen in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. However, only 277 phones, or 4.5pc of those stolen, have been recovered and returned to their owners.
The Garda Síochána National Crime Prevention Unit offers practical tips to help reduce the risk of mobile phone theft. One of the first steps is to register your phone with your service provider, ensuring that your device is easier to track if stolen.
To further protect your device, enable the PIN security feature and keep your phone locked at all times. When out in public, be mindful of your surroundings and avoid keeping your phone visible, especially in crowded areas.
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