Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR)

This is a national database, which holds details of all mobile
phones that are reported lost or stolen within the UK.

Once a mobile phone is reported lost or stolen, the respective network provider (Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, O2, 3, or Virgin) will submit the details of the mobile phone to the CEIR database, which aims to 'block' the mobile phone across all UK networks within 24 hours.

The database is made up of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of lost/stolen mobile phones.

The IMEI number is obtained from the mobile phone via these two methods.

• On an adhesive label stuck to the inside of the phone.
• Displayed on the screen by entering *#06# on the keypad.

It is important to note that the IMEI number found by these two methods should be the same. If it is not, there is a possibility that the phone has been reprogrammed.