Council warns against using phones in public (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield councillor Christine Hamilton warns against using phones in public following spate of thefts

5:28pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

Enfield Borough Council is trying to prevent thefts by urging people to stop using their mobile phones while out and about in the area.

The warning comes after the Metropolitan Police said 160 phones are being stolen on London’s streets each day, most being smartphones.

Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health, Councillor Christine Hamilton, expressed her concerns about people using their phones in public places.

She said: "We strongly recommend you don't walk and talk on your mobile as this is usually the time when people's general awareness is impaired."

She said the council and the police are determined to make Enfield “even safer”, and even though crime in the borough dropped by 5.2 per cent in the last year, it is important to do everything possible to stop the likelihood of people becoming victims of crime.