Report the theft to protect yourself, create an accurate incident record and support any network or insurance process. Police reporting does not replace securing the device, SIM, accounts and payment services.
Use the correct police route
- 999: a crime is in progress, someone is in immediate danger or urgent police attendance is required.
- Online or 101: non-emergency theft and enquiries. Police.uk directs reports to the relevant local force.
- Fraud rather than physical theft: use the appropriate Report Fraud route for England, Wales or Northern Ireland; Scotland uses Police Scotland.
Do not report a phone as stolen merely because it is missing. Describe what you know: where it was last seen, what happened, whether force or distraction was used and why you believe theft occurred.
Information to prepare
| Evidence | Example |
|---|---|
| Device identity | Make, model, colour, storage, IMEI and serial where available |
| Incident | Date, time, location and concise description |
| People or vehicles | Only what you observed; avoid guessing |
| Tracking | Screenshots and timestamps, without confronting anyone |
| Ownership | Invoice, contract, account record or other evidence |
Contact the network promptly
Ask the provider to secure or replace the SIM and discuss blocking the handset's IMEI. Ofcom explains that a network can block a lost or stolen handset from mobile-network use in the UK. Keep the provider's reference and ask what happens to airtime and device-finance payments; theft does not normally make contractual balances disappear.
Secure financial and online accounts
If the phone was unlocked, the passcode was observed or sensitive notifications were visible, contact banks and protect the primary email first. Remove payment cards from the mobile wallet where appropriate and review recent activity. Inform the employer immediately if work accounts or data were present.
Insurance evidence
Read the policy wording that applied on the incident date. The insurer may ask for a police reference, network block, proof of ownership and a factual incident description. Do not remove the phone from the Apple or Google account until you understand the policy requirements; some theft-and-loss claims require protective account features to remain active.
Related guidance: This check sits within Buying a Phone. The Complete Phone Buying Guide covers the broader decision from start to finish.
Sources checked
Information checked on 26 July 2026. This is general UK guidance, not legal, tax or security advice. Terms, complaint routes and platform features can change, so confirm the current wording before acting.
