What if.. cellphones could scream

A firm is hoping a mobile phones security system it has developed which sets off a high pitch scream, permanently locks the handset and wipes all data if stolen, will halt the spiralling rise in phone theft.

The Remote XT technology, designed to make phones unusable, and therefore worthless if they are stolen, works by installing software onto the operating system of the phone which is then activated via a call to a call centre once users realise their phone has been snatched or lost.

“It makes a loud squealing noise which is enough to distract a restaurant if it went off and it completely locks the phone,” Remote XT Managing Director, Mark Whiteman told Reuters.