Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures the Gardaí will take to tackle the theft of smart phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53611/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that 2 December 2013 was designated National Crime Prevention Day by the Garda Commissioner and one of the key objectives on the day was to provide information on the prevention of mobile phone theft. This message was issued by the Garda Press Office to raise the awareness of the public to mobile phone theft and provide information on steps to secure mobile phones and smart phones particularly in the run up to Christmas.

Crime prevention advice on mobile phone security was also provided on the Crimecall programme and on the Garda website . This advice includes information on ways in which people can safeguard their phones, including obtaining their IMEI numbers to ensure that if their phone is stolen the service provider can immediately block the phone, rendering it immediately inoperative. Mobile Phone Security was included as a priority in An Garda Síochána’s Supporting Safer Communities week in September and will also be featured in the campaign for 2014.

Local Garda management in the Dublin Metropolitan Region continue to address the ongoing challenges associated with theft and sale of mobile phones, in particular in the City Centre. 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.