North Cork Gardaí warn shop staff over mobile phone thefts

GARDAÍ have warned people working behind the counters of shops and fast food outlets to ensure their mobile phones and electronic devices are not left within easy reach of opportunistic thieves.

The warning has come from Fermoy-based community garda John Kelly, following an incident at a fast food outlet in Mallow last Friday evening during which a worker had their smart-phone stolen.

Speaking on the C103 Cork Today show, St Kelly told Patricia Messinger that this was just the latest in a series of similar incidents that have taken place across the north Cork area.

He said that people are using their phones and when serving a customer can often put the device down on the counter or next to the till, within easy reach of people. When they turn around to get an item, or are distracted, their phone can easily be taken and this is often not noticed until the their has left the premises.

“This particular incident happened at around 9pm. The injured party put their phone down on the counter to serve a customer and when they went back to pick it up the phone was gone,” said Sgt Kelly.

He said reports of this kind of incident were becoming all too regular.

“It is very easy for workers to get distracted and put their down within reach of a thief,” said Sgt Kelly.

“We can’t emphasise enough how important it is for workers to make sure their phones are not left in plain view and out of the reach so they do not fall victim to this type of crime.”