Police give out crime prevention advice as part of Op Acquire after two men sentenced for a series of phone thefts in the city centre

Operation Acquire returns for a third day of action today across all districts in Greater Manchester.

The operation is one of Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) force wide initiative that will see four days of action carried out across the months of June and July, with extra resources deployed to target and arrest criminals suspected of committing neighbourhood offences.

Earlier this year, two men were jailed for a series of mobile phone thefts in Manchester City Centre. The first was responsible for thefts reaching a value of £10,000, and the second £6300.

The pair were nicknamed the ‘phone dippers’ as they cunningly used a sheet of paper to cover the victim’s phone on tables in restaurants and bars and then distracted the victim by speaking to them. They would then pick up the mobile phone from underneath the paper and quickly walk away with the victim’s phone in hand.

CCTV footage showing a phone being taken

Superintendent Dave Meeney, force lead for theft from person offences, said: “The pair were responsible for around 21 thefts in the city centre during January 2023.  

“These two men had a clear set-up, they planned their offences carefully and they continue to have no remorse for the victims, who were understandably affected by these incidents.

“Investigation teams have worked tirelessly to follow up CCTV enquiries and evidence to conclude this investigation and this shows that no matter how organised or sophisticated the group or individual may be, we will thoroughly investigate and make the streets of Greater Manchester a safer place to live and work.

“I would like to take this opportunity to warn the public to be wary of this offence.

“We have released the CCTV showing one of the offenders stealing a mobile phone in a busy restaurant in Greater Manchester to show how easily this can happen.

“It’s so easy to prevent this type of crime – whilst you are out and about, please keep your phone hidden away in a bag which is placed under your table when in a busy restaurant or bar or even in your pocket, making it harder for criminals reach.

“Mobile phones or valuable items left on a table can be easily spotted by criminals as they look for a victim.

“Please be aware of your surroundings, these type of thefts happen so quickly with some instances only taking around 20 seconds for the offender to approach the victim and steal the phone away.”

Make sure you know how to identify your phone if it's stolen from you:

Each phone has an IMEI number, this helps police identify the device if it's stolen.

You can find your phone’s IMEI number by dialling *#06# from your phone and keep a written note of it; if the phone is stolen, report the number to your mobile provider to stop it being used

Register your valuables on an accredited property database such as The National Property Register, for Phones, Gadgets, Bicycles & More... (immobilise.com)

Remember to never confront criminals or risk your own safety for the sake of your mobile phone or valuables.

For more neighbourhood crime prevention advice from GMP, please visit: Crime prevention advice | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)