In a significant achievement, the Bapatla district police have successfully recovered 1,125 lost and stolen mobile phones valued at nearly Rs 2.25 crore over five phases under their Mobile Recovery and Distribution Programme. During the fifth phase, District Superintendent of Police (SP) B Umamaheshwar personally handed over 166 recovered mobile phones worth Rs 33.20 lakh to the rightful owners at the district police headquarters on Tuesday.
Mobile Phones Essential for Daily Life
Speaking on the occasion, SP Umamaheshwar emphasized that mobile phones have become an indispensable part of modern life, storing personal information, banking details, educational records, and business-related data. He noted that individuals face severe inconvenience when their phones are lost or stolen. To address this, the district police department established a specialized technical team under the supervision of a circle inspector-level officer to trace and recover missing devices.
Special Recovery Team and Coordination
The special recovery team, led by Social Media Circle Inspector V Suryanarayana, works in collaboration with local police stations, employing advanced technology to locate lost and stolen phones. The department has also coordinated with authorities in other districts and states to recover devices and return them to their owners.
Improved Recovery Rate
According to officials, the mobile phone recovery rate in Bapatla district was previously around 30%. However, following the launch of the special recovery programme, the rate has surged to nearly 70%, showcasing the effectiveness of the initiative.
Public Advisory and Legal Warning
The SP advised the public to immediately report lost mobile phones at the nearest police station and register complaints through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal. He also cautioned against purchasing second-hand phones from suspicious individuals and urged mobile shop owners not to unlock devices without proper proof of ownership. Police reiterated that buying or selling stolen mobile phones is a punishable offense that may lead to criminal cases.
