Handset theft: 1.3 million phones stolen each year

NEWS Research released later today will show that 4.5 million mobile phone users are forced to replace their handsets each year, a third as a result of theft. Continental Research's annual mobile phone report will also show that the epidemic is worst in London and most likely to affect the under 25s. In both categories, mobile thieves hit one out of nine people. The 1.3 million thefts recorded in this report contrasts with official government figures that put the number at just 330,000. While phone theft is taxing Home Office minds, other causes of loss are simply down to individual ineptitude. According to the figures 400,000 phones have to be replaced after drinks are spilt on them while 600,000 a year are accidentally dropped down the toilet.