The Trichy central zone police have achieved a significant breakthrough in combating mobile phone thefts, successfully tracing 333 stolen devices out of a total of 789 complaints registered in January across nine districts. This recovery effort highlights the effectiveness of modern tracking systems and dedicated police work in addressing this common crime.
District-Wise Breakdown of Stolen and Recovered Phones
The complaints were spread across multiple districts, with Thanjavur reporting the highest number at 258 stolen phones, followed by Trichy district with 90. Other affected areas included Perambalur (99), Karur (74), Nagapattinam (67), Mayiladuthurai (65), Ariyalur (62), Tiruvarur (60), and Pudukkottai (14). All these complaints were systematically uploaded to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, an all-India system designed to track, locate, and block lost or stolen mobile phones using their unique IMEI numbers.
Recovery Statistics and Owner Returns
Among the recovered phones, Thanjavur led with 101 devices traced, while Trichy saw 38 recoveries. Other districts recorded recoveries as follows: Perambalur (42), Karur (29), Mayiladuthurai (32), Ariyalur (25), Tiruvarur (23), Nagapattinam (3), and Pudukkottai (4). So far, 81 of these recovered phones have been successfully returned to their rightful owners, providing relief to many victims of theft.
Police officials have confirmed that an additional 18 phones are scheduled to be handed over to owners in the coming days, ensuring a continuous process of restitution. Furthermore, authorities have identified the locations of devices linked to another 234 complainants and have issued orders for their prompt seizure and return, indicating that more recoveries are imminent.
Police Directive for Further Action
Inspector General of Police Balakrishnan has taken a proactive stance by directing superintendents of police in all nine districts to fast-track investigations into the remaining 456 complaints. This directive aims to enhance recovery efforts and ensure that stolen phones are retrieved as quickly as possible, leveraging the CEIR portal's capabilities to their fullest extent.
The use of the CEIR portal has proven instrumental in these recoveries, showcasing how technology can aid law enforcement in tackling mobile phone thefts effectively. As police continue their efforts, this initiative serves as a model for other regions dealing with similar issues, emphasizing the importance of systematic reporting and advanced tracking systems in crime prevention.
