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   ;)  Police launch Where's Yours campaign
Greater Manchester Police is urging people to download GPS enabled apps on their smartphones and tablets to help police track them down should they be stolen. The technology, that is free on iPhones and iPads and also available in free versions for the Blackberry and other smartphones and tablets means that owners can follow the movements of their devices should they misplace, lose or have them stolen. Once loaded the technology allows owners to log their passwords into any other web-enabled computer, tablet or smartphone, and work with officers to hunt down the stolen device. Police are not able to use this technology without the owner’s consent and passwords. The tracking applications can also be used by the owner to remotely lockdown and even delete sensitive or personal data from the device it to prevent thieves using it for other criminal activity. Further information on downloading and using these apps and other general advice on safeguarding valuables from thieves is available on the Where’s Yours? pages on Greater Manchester Police’s website on www.gmp.police.uk/wheresyours. Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney from Greater Manchester Police said: “One in three adults in the UK now owns a smartphone or tablet costing hundreds of pounds. As well as being valuable they are also portable, easy to conceal and sell on making them ideal targets for thieves. “Owners can help safeguard them from thieves by keeping them out of sight in a secure pocket or bag when out and about and remaining vigilant when using them in public places. “They can also use the security measures available on them such as security locking codes and downloading GPS based apps that help owners to find them if lost and us to track the thieves that may have stolen them. “We would like people to access our Where’s Yours? web pages and follow the advice there to increase their chances of having stolen valuables returned to them. “We would also like people to provide information to us about suspicious activity such as people trying to sell them phones they suspect have been stolen. They can do this either directly to us on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” CASE STUDY – JAMES BIRD James Bird took just 20 minutes to catch a thief who stole his mobile and have him arrested, all due to GPS technology. James, who is an aerospace engineering student at Manchester University, was working in a computer lab when he noticed his phone had disappeared from his desk. He had used the free ‘Find My iPhone’ app, and had a friend activate it so he could give a running commentary on where the phone was headed. James and another friend chased the signal along Upper Brook Street and they saw a man ahead and ran after him for half a mile. He jumped onto a bus and James sprinted after him. He confronted the man on the bus and the driver became involved. The driver refused to budge until proof was given. The man finally succumbed and gave the phone to James and got off the bus to run away. James alerted police officers who were nearby and within moments the man was in custody. The man was charged with theft and burglary and got a 10-month sentence suspended for two years, a two-year supervision order and a six-month drug rehabilitation order, which is under review. James’s foresight in taking crime reduction precautions and his quick thinking and courage led to a prolific offender being brought to justice. The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Peter Fahy awarded James with a Commendation last month for his brave actions. Source: GMP. Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
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