Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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421. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to compelling bicycle shops and other purveyors of bicycles to retain the serial numbers of bicycles sold along with the purchasers details they retain, especially for those availing of the cycle to work tax scheme, as a measure to tackle the increase in theft of bicycles and to allow for more bikes to be reunited with their owners quickly when recovered by An Garda Síochána. [19816/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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422. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration is being given to a voluntary registration of bicycle serial numbers with An Garda Síochána and the steps being taken to prevent and tackle the increasing theft of bicycles. [19817/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.

An Garda Síochána is proactive in encouraging the public to protect their property, including bicycles, and a range of measures are in place to prevent and tackle the theft of bicycles.

A crime prevention information leaflet on bicycle security is available on the Garda website, . The leaflet accentuates the importance of bicycle owners keeping a record of the bicycle frame identification number, colour and any other unique features. Furthermore, in July 2012, An Garda Síochána created a link from the Garda website to YouTube to call attention to a video on bicycle security which had been developed as a joint initiative by An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council. I am also informed that An Garda Síochána is currently rolling out a pilot scheme in a number of Garda locations which allows members of the public to view on-line photographs of recovered property, including bicycles, on the Garda page of the social media site, Flickr.

I have no plans at the present time to introduce legal obligations in this regard over and above the voluntary crime prevention measures which owners of any type of valuable property are encouraged to take to assist in the return of their property should it be recovered following a theft.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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423. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering making it compulsory for mobile phone retailers or mobile phone operators to retain the IMEI serial number of the phone being purchased, to help tackle the increasing theft of mobile phones and the steps he will take to tackle this growing crime. [19818/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that, in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications (Retention of Data) Act, 2011, telecommunications service providers currently retain the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers in respect of mobile phone devices operating on their networks. In the event of a provider receiving a report of a mobile phone being stolen, the IMEI number is used to prevent that mobile device from being used.

I can also advise the Deputy that a proactive approach is being applied by An Garda Síochána in relation to theft from persons, and in particular the theft of mobile phones. A crime prevention information leaflet, Mobile Phone Theft Prevention Advice, is available on the Garda Website and a public awareness campaign, including a dedicated item on the Crimeline programme, was undertaken by An Garda Síochána in March 2013 to inform and advise the public on how to protect their mobile phones.

In addition, the Dublin City Joint Policing Committee in association with An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council have prepared an information booklet outlining the risks associated with the use of smart phones in public places. It also provides information on ways in which people can safeguard their phones, including obtaining their IMEI numbers and through increased SIM locking and PIN activation to ensure that if their phone is stolen the service provider can immediately block the phone, rendering it immediately inoperative. These leaflets are currently being distributed throughout Dublin City with a view to increasing the public’s awareness to smart phone theft.

At an enforcement level, An Garda Síochána also continues to address the challenges associated with thefts from the person, including theft of mobile phones. In this regard Operation Aughrim was introduced in June 2012, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, with particular emphasis being placed in the Pearse Street and Store Street Districts. This operation is intelligence led with uniformed Gardaí engaged in a high visibility patrols as well as plain clothes members conducting surveillance in identified hotspots. Contact with mobile phone shops which specialise in the sale, supply and repair of second hand smart phones also forms part of this operation.