Latest news with #LauraMiller
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
How to protect yourself from phone snatch thefts – and five steps to follow if your handset is stolen
Read on for tips on what to do if your phone gets snatched SNATCHED How to protect yourself from phone snatch thefts – and five steps to follow if your handset is stolen Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PHONE 'snatch thefts' are soaring, with more than 1,000 stolen in London every week. Last year more than 70,000 handsets were taken in the capital, up 34 per cent on the previous year, according to a Freedom of Information request to the Metropolitan Police by comparison website 4 A thief on an electric bike spots a target using a mobile phone in central London Credit: Jam Press/@CrimeLdn 4 The thief approaches the target and grabs the device from the owner Credit: Jam Press/@CrimeLdn 4 The thief then escapes with the phone Credit: Jam Press/@CrimeLdn It is a similar picture around the UK. Official figures show personal thefts in England and Wales are up 22 per cent, with police recording 152,416 such offences last year, the highest since 2003. With many smartphones costing more than £1,000 to replace, ministers have pledged a crackdown. In the meantime, Laura Miller advises on how to find the right insurance to protect yourself. THERE are a few different options for cover — standalone gadget insurance, personal possessions cover as part of your home contents insurance, or as a benefit from a packaged bank account. Anna McEntee, insurance expert at comparethemarket, said: 'The best option will depend on how much coverage you're looking for outside of the home.' Always shop around among providers and comparison websites for the best deal. The price will vary, based on your phone. Make sure you check the excess for each policy before you choose one. GADGET INSURANCE THIS provides cover for a single item or a bundle of devices under one policy, including mobile phones. It generally covers the cost of repairing or replacing your devices if they are accidentally damaged, lost or stolen, either from your home or car, or while you are on the go. Five ways to cut your insurance costs Always read reviews before taking out insurance. Many policies include unauthorised data usage if your phone is stolen — as long as you report the theft promptly and contact your network provider to blacklist the stolen device and halt service. It usually costs £1.50 to £15 per month, depending on the level of cover. PACKAGED BANK ACCOUNT COVER IF you have three or more phones in a family, a packaged bank account could be the cheapest way to insure them. If you need to get travel and breakdown cover, it may be worth it, even if you just have one or two phones to cover. For example, the Virgin Money Club M account costs £12.50 a month and covers your gadgets and those of a relative living with you, for up to £2,000 a year. The Nationwide FlexPlus account costs £18 per month and covers all the family's smartphones for up to £2,000 each, including kids under 19, or those under 22 in full-time education. There are limits on how many times a year you can claim a phone. HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE YOU could add your smartphone to your home contents cover — but check that your policy includes gadgets outside your property. The excess is usually £100 to £300 per claim, so it might not be worth it if your phone is not expensive. Claiming on your home insurance could also push up the cost when it comes to renewing. 4 Phone 'snatch thefts' are soaring with more than 1,000 stolen in London per week Credit: Getty WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PHONE IS STOLEN REPORT your phone's theft to the police and mobile network. Your network provider can block your SIM to prevent other people making calls on your account. Insurance expert Alicia Hempsted, of finance website said: 'Try to get in touch with them within 24 hours — otherwise you may be liable to pay the full amount for any additional charges incurred.' Reporting a theft to the police will give you a crime reference number, and Anna McEntee adds: 'This will be essential for making an insurance claim. You should also contact your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process.' The National Police Chiefs' Council recommends doing this:
The Sun
24-05-2025
- The Sun
How to protect yourself from phone snatch thefts – and five steps to follow if your handset is stolen
PHONE 'snatch thefts' are soaring, with more than 1,000 stolen in London every week. Last year more than 70,000 handsets were taken in the capital, up 34 per cent on the previous year, according to a Freedom of Information request to the Metropolitan Police by comparison website 4 4 4 It is a similar picture around the UK. Official figures show personal thefts in England and Wales are up 22 per cent, with police recording 152,416 such offences last year, the highest since 2003. With many smartphones costing more than £1,000 to replace, ministers have pledged a crackdown. In the meantime, Laura Miller advises on how to find the right insurance to protect yourself. THERE are a few different options for cover — standalone gadget insurance, personal possessions cover as part of your home contents insurance, or as a benefit from a packaged bank account. Anna McEntee, insurance expert at comparethemarket, said: 'The best option will depend on how much coverage you're looking for outside of the home.' Always shop around among providers and comparison websites for the best deal. The price will vary, based on your phone. Make sure you check the excess for each policy before you choose one. GADGET INSURANCE THIS provides cover for a single item or a bundle of devices under one policy, including mobile phones. It generally covers the cost of repairing or replacing your devices if they are accidentally damaged, lost or stolen, either from your home or car, or while you are on the go. Five ways to cut your insurance costs Always read reviews before taking out insurance. Many policies include unauthorised data usage if your phone is stolen — as long as you report the theft promptly and contact your network provider to blacklist the stolen device and halt service. It usually costs £1.50 to £15 per month, depending on the level of cover. PACKAGED BANK ACCOUNT COVER IF you have three or more phones in a family, a packaged bank account could be the cheapest way to insure them. If you need to get travel and breakdown cover, it may be worth it, even if you just have one or two phones to cover. For example, the Virgin Money Club M account costs £12.50 a month and covers your gadgets and those of a relative living with you, for up to £2,000 a year. The Nationwide FlexPlus account costs £18 per month and covers all the family's smartphones for up to £2,000 each, including kids under 19, or those under 22 in full-time education. There are limits on how many times a year you can claim a phone. HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE YOU could add your smartphone to your home contents cover — but check that your policy includes gadgets outside your property. The excess is usually £100 to £300 per claim, so it might not be worth it if your phone is not expensive. Claiming on your home insurance could also push up the cost when it comes to renewing. WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PHONE IS STOLEN REPORT your phone's theft to the police and mobile network. Your network provider can block your SIM to prevent other people making calls on your account. Insurance expert Alicia Hempsted, of finance website said: 'Try to get in touch with them within 24 hours — otherwise you may be liable to pay the full amount for any additional charges incurred.' Reporting a theft to the police will give you a crime reference number, and Anna McEntee adds: 'This will be essential for making an insurance claim. You should also contact your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process.' The National Police Chiefs' Council recommends doing this: CHOOSE a strong PIN, passcode, password or pattern. KNOW your IMEI number. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code on each mobile which can track it. Type *#06# on your phone keypad and the number/QR code pops up. Take a screenshot or print it out and keep it somewhere separate to your phone. USE a tracking app on your phone to see where it is from another device. TURN OFF message previews so thieves won't see any messages about reset or log-in codes when your phone is locked. MAKE sure you can still access your data via other devices.
The National
30-04-2025
- Business
- The National
BBC announces new presenter for flagship Reporting Scotland show
Laura Goodwin, who has worked as BBC Scotland's innovation correspondent since 2018, will join the programme next month alongside current presenter Laura Miller. It comes after Sally Magnusson (below) announced she was stepping down after 27 years in the role. Goodwin was born in South Africa and moved to Scotland at the age of 12, going on to study sociology at the University of Edinburgh. She started her broadcast career at Moray Firth Radio in Inverness before moving to STV in Aberdeen as a presenter and reporter. Goodwin will start her new role on Reporting Scotland from next month, presenting on Thursdays and Fridays. She said: "I am delighted to be officially joining the Reporting Scotland presentation team after six years working as a correspondent for the BBC. READ MORE: Thousands expected at Orange Order march for VE day 80th anniversary "To take over from Sally Magnusson, someone I hold in such high regard, is an incredible honour. "I look forward to sharing the week, and the Reporting Scotland desk, with the wonderful Laura Miller, delivering the stories that matter to our audience. "On a personal note, this is an opportunity that as a once very shy little girl, I could only have dreamt of and I am looking forward to getting started." Gary Smith, head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, said: "Laura is a brilliant addition to the Reporting Scotland team. "She is a consummate professional who presents with authority, flair and grace. "A great journalist and interviewer too, who gets straight to the heart of a story."
The National
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
BBC appoints new Reporting Scotland presenter
Laura Goodwin, who has worked as BBC Scotland's innovation correspondent since 2018, will join the programme next month alongside current presenter Laura Miller. It comes after Sally Magnusson (below) announced she was stepping down after 27 years in the role. Goodwin was born in South Africa and moved to Scotland at the age of 12, going on to study sociology at the University of Edinburgh. She started her broadcast career at Moray Firth Radio in Inverness before moving to STV in Aberdeen as a presenter and reporter. READ MORE: Thousands expected at Orange Order march for VE day 80th anniversary Goodwin will start her new role on Reporting Scotland from next month, presenting on Thursdays and Fridays. She said: "I am delighted to be officially joining the Reporting Scotland presentation team after six years working as a correspondent for the BBC. "To take over from Sally Magnusson, someone I hold in such high regard, is an incredible honour. I look forward to sharing the week, and the Reporting Scotland desk, with the wonderful Laura Miller, delivering the stories that matter to our audience. "On a personal note, this is an opportunity that as a once very shy little girl, I could only have dreamt of and I am looking forward to getting started." Gary Smith, head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, said: "Laura is a brilliant addition to the Reporting Scotland team. "She is a consummate professional who presents with authority, flair and grace. "A great journalist and interviewer too, who gets straight to the heart of a story."
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Laura Goodwin joins Reporting Scotland's lead presenting team
BBC Scotland's Innovation Correspondent Laura Goodwin will join Reporting Scotland as a lead news presenter alongside Laura Miller, following Sally Magnusson's recent departure after 27 years in the role. The South African born broadcast journalist - who moved to Scotland at the age of 12 - joined the BBC in 2018 as Innovation Correspondent. Since then, Laura has reported on the creativity and ingenuity of Scotland's business and academic community, most recently covering the approval of a spaceport in Shetland. Laura says: 'I am delighted to be officially joining the Reporting Scotland presentation team after six years working as a correspondent for the BBC. To take over from Sally Magnusson, someone I hold in such high regard, is an incredible honour. I look forward to sharing the week, and the Reporting Scotland desk, with the wonderful Laura Miller, delivering the stories that matter to our audience. 'On a personal note, this is an opportunity that as a once very shy little girl, I could only have dreamt of and I am looking forward to getting started.' Gary Smith, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, says: 'Laura is a brilliant addition to the Reporting Scotland team. She is a consummate professional who presents with authority, flair and grace. A great journalist and interviewer too, who gets straight to the heart of a story.' A former student of Madras College in St Andrews, Laura went on to study Sociology at the University of Edinburgh. Having started her broadcast career at Moray Firth Radio in Inverness, Laura then moved to STV in Aberdeen as a presenter and reporter covering key new stories including the opening of the Queensferry crossing, the new V&A museum and the Scottish independence referendum Laura will take up her new role on Reporting Scotland, presenting on Thursdays and Fridays from next month (May 2025). Laura's appointment is the latest to come from BBC Scotland's news and current affairs portfolio which recently launched two new titles, News at Seven (presented by Laura Mciver and Amy Irons) and podcast series, Scotcast with Martin Geissler. JM2
