I'm going to have to hold my hands up straight away on this story and admit – I'm guilty. Guilty of leaving my phone on the table when I'm out. Guilty of texting as I'm walking along the street.
Not any more though. Not after filming with South Wales Police for X-Ray and realising how easy I've been making it for opportunist thieves to steal my phone.
The latest figures from South Wales Police gave me quite a shock. We all know mobile theft is a problem, but I didn't realise the extent of it. More than 2,000 mobiles were stolen in the first half of this year alone. Clearly we need to be making it more difficult for criminals to get their hands on our phones. Time for X-Ray to swing into action!
We met up with Inspector Dave Greaves and PC Lia Jones one busy evening at a pub in Cardiff. They wore our secret cameras, and then scouted for phones that were easy targets. Quickly they spotted phones in bags left open, bags left unattended with phones inside, and mobiles left on tables. Even if you're sitting right next to your phone, it's surprisingly easy for a thief to quickly swipe it and run.
Lucy Owen during the filming of X-Ray with Inspector Dave Greaves
After the officers explained to people how they were putting their phones – often worth hundreds of pounds and containing personal data – at risk, I dived in with the camera crew to get their reaction. And people were as shocked as I've been, with everyone saying they'd be taking more care in the future.
On X-Ray tonight we'll have all the advice you need to keep your phone as safe as possible, some simple ideas you may well not have thought of, but which could save you from becoming the next victim. If the worst does happen and your phone does get pinched, we've got some really good advice on how you can stop people getting into it, and how you can make it as traceable as possible.
And while we're talking phones, you may want to give us a call. If a company has been driving you crazy or if you feel you've been ripped off, unlock that security pin code and give us call on 03703 334 334 – and then put your phone back in your bag and close it up, or pop it back in a safe pocket.
Watch X-Ray tonight on BBC One Wales from 7.30pm, and on BBC iPlayer for the seven days after transmission.
