Mobile Phone Thefts

Request Number: FOI/15392

Category: Crime/ Incident Statistics – Theft and Burglary

Subject: Mobile Phone Thefts

Request and Answer: 
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.

Request 1
The number of mobile phones reported stolen at Belfast Airport for each calendar year from 2020 to 2024 (inclusive).

If possible, please break the data down by:

a. Terminal or area within the airport (e.g. arrivals, departures, security, retail zones)

b. Whether the theft was categorised as pickpocketing, bag theft, or other

If your system permits, please also include:

c. The number of thefts that resulted in a charge or arrest

d. The mobile phone type by brand and or model

If any part of this request exceeds the cost/time limit, please prioritise question 1 and advise if the rest can be refined.

Clarification requested:
Are you referring to Belfast City Airport or Belfast International Airport?

Clarification received:
Can you provide separate data for both please?

Answer
The following tables are based on all recorded robbery and theft offences where property described as 'Mobile phones & accessories' was classified as stolen at a location identified as an airport, during the period 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2024.  The location of each offence has been identified based on the 'location type' and the occurrence premises name.  The currently assigned outcome may be updated as investigations are completed or new information comes to light. 

Please Note:  This is management information based on data extracted from a live system and may be subject to change. It is dependent on the information having been input into the system in such a way as to identify those records that are relevant.

With regards to where in the airport each offence took place, only 2 records include any additional location information:  1 with a location subtype of ‘Fast Food’ and one with a location subtype of ‘Toilet’. 

The following data file is based on all recorded robbery and theft offences where property described as Mobile phones & accessories was classified as stolen at a location identified as an airport, during the period 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2024.  The location of each offence has been identified based on the 'location type' and the occurrence premises name.  Information on the type of property stolen may be found in any of the Property Description, Make, Model, or Remarks fields.  These fields are not complete, nor are they consistently entered. 

Please Note:  This is management information based on data extracted from a live system and may be subject to change. It is dependent on the information having been input into the system in such a way as to identify those records that are relevant.