Around €5m worth of mobile phones have been stolen in Ireland over the last 20 months.
However, only about 10% are recovered, according to figures by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service.
The data shows that of the 11,488 mobile phones which have been stolen since the beginning of 2019, only 1,176 have been recovered.
This amounts to the theft of 135 phones a week across the country, with Gardaí urging people to increase security and download a locator app.
Garda divisions in Dublin accounted for the biggest number of stolen handsets, followed by the likes of Limerick, Kildare, and Galway.
The analysis found that the most common place for phones to be stolen is out in public or in bars.
Speaking at the launch of the 'Streetwise' campaign today, Crime Prevention Officer for the Meath Division, Sergeant Dean Kerins said: "The price of mobile phones makes them a clear target for criminals, so let’s try and deter them by increasing phone security.
"If you a have a smartphone, we recommend downloading a trusted location finder app so if it is lost or stolen, you have a better chance of getting it back."
Be #streetwise by downloading a trusted find my phone app and adding an emergency contact number to your phone.#HelpUsHelpYou pic.twitter.com/EhDBGS3e3e
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) September 2, 2020
He said some phones already have a feature like this so people should check their phone's security settings.
He added: "We also highly recommend that you add a family member or friend as an emergency contact in your phone.
"If we receive a lost or stolen phone, we will be able to contact that person.
"Our property stores throughout the country receive a lot of stolen and lost phones that we cannot trace the owners for. Adding the emergency contact will help solve this problem.
"Other preventative measures you can take include enabling the PIN Security feature, keeping your phone locked at all times, and property-mark it with unique personal letters or numbers.
"For those who do not own a smartphone, call *#06# on your keypad and note the IMEI number that comes up. This is a 15 digit number that is unique to your phone. If your phone is lost or stolen, call your service provider immediately so they can block the phone.
He said if someone believes their phone has been stolen they should contact Gardaí immediately.
Be #streetwise by downloading a trusted find my phone app and adding an emergency contact number to your phone.
€5m worth of mobile phones stolen since 2019. Only 10% are recovered. #HelpUsHelpYou pic.twitter.com/YwAEszc3xF— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) September 2, 2020
