How to report a stolen phone in the UK

Do these five things as soon as you can.

1. Report it to the police

Report the theft online with your local police force or call 101. Call 999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger. Ask for a crime reference number, because your network, insurer and bank may ask for it.

2. Call your network to block the SIM and the phone

Your network can stop the SIM being used and, with the IMEI, block the handset. UK networks share stolen-phone information, so a blocked handset should not work on other UK networks either. Find your IMEI on the box, your receipt, or your network or Apple/Google account.

3. Lock and erase it remotely

Use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device to mark the phone as lost, show a contact message, and erase it if you cannot get it back.

4. Secure your accounts and money

Change important passwords, sign the phone out of your accounts, and tell your bank if banking apps were on the phone. Watch for unusual texts or payments.

5. Add it to a property register

Report the phone here so anyone who checks the IMEI before buying sees your warning. UK owners can also record property with the national Immobilise register.

Last reviewed November 3, 2026