UK’s Crackdown on Phone Theft: Could it unfairly target honest taxi drivers?
Police will soon have the authority to enter properties without a warrant when tracking stolen mobile phones, under new powers outlined in the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill.
The legislation aims to strengthen police responses to mobile phone theft by removing the need for a court-approved warrant when stolen devices are electronically located. Officers will be able to act immediately, using technology such as ‘find my phone’ apps, Bluetooth signals, WiFi access points, and mobile network tracking to pinpoint stolen items.
However, under new rules announced this week, if a passenger tracks their missing phone to a taxi and reports it stolen, could police be given authority to enter the driver’s home to search for it? Would failing to return a found phone within a short timeframe leave drivers open to criminal allegations that could impact their licensing?
Phones are frequently left behind in cabs and are often dropped off at lost property once their shift or journey is complete. It’s also worth remembering that taxi drivers cannot interact with the mobile device whilst driving to take calls from the lost device.
The lack of accessible lost property offices also adds to the problem. Many police stations no longer accept lost items or are open 24-hours, leaving drivers with limited options for handing over misplaced phones. If a driver is unable to return a device immediately due to work commitments, could they be accused of theft simply for having it in their possession?
These unanswered questions create a new uncertainty for the taxi trade, which already faces strict licensing conditions. If a driver is accused of theft, even mistakenly, it is most likely to lead to a licensing review, putting their livelihood at risk.
If passed into law, the changes will undoubtedly give police a greater ability to disrupt organised phone theft, which has become a growing concern in towns and cities across the UK. But will there be an added unintentional consequence for taxi drivers?
