NELSON'S COLUMN by Dt Sgt Bill Nelson

THERE has been a lot of recent publicity about the theft of mobile phones and the ease with which they can be reactivated once stolen and the SIM card changed.

From October 4 there will be two major developments to tackle mobile phone theft.

Firstly, it will be possible for a handset to be disabled across networks when reported stolen to the network operator. All five major network operators -- Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Virgin -- are co-operating in the operation of a shared equipment identity register of handset IMEI numbers.

Once this database goes live a handset reported stolen will immediately be rendered unusable on any network, very much like cancelling a stolen credit card. The Home Office is producing phone-shaped leaflets, which will be distributed by the Police and mobile phone retailers.

Secondly, to compliment the industry's handset barring scheme, the government has passed a new legislation -- the Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002.

It makes changing a phone's IMEI number without the manufacturer's authorisation, supplying or offering to supply equipment for that purpose a criminal offence. These offences attract a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

GMP crime reduction advisors will be available to mark mobile phones at Leigh's Spinning Gate Centre on September 26 and 27.