Bloomberg: Apple causes rising crime in New York. Plus: Apple heist in Paris!

[Syt]

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-thefts-new-york-city-20121228,0,1389993.story

Bloomberg blames Apple thefts for rise in New York's crime rate

How high is the demand for Apple products? Well in New York City, where most crime is going down, Apple thefts are going up.

There have been so many iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices stolen in 2012 that overall crime in New York went up 3.3% for the year despite all-time lows for the city in homicides and shootings, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Apple thefts have increased by 3,890 this year.

"If you just took away the jump in Apple, we'd be down for the year," said Marc La Vorgna, Bloomberg's press secretary, according to the New York Times reported.

So what are Apple users in New York City to do? Bloomberg suggests keeping your Apple device in a snug, hard-to-reach pocket.

"Put it in a pocket in sort of a more body-fitting, tighter clothes, that you can feel if it was -- if somebody put their hand in your pocket, not just an outside coat pocket," Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile in Paris . . .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20888464

Apple store in Paris hit by thieves in heist

Armed robbers broke into a central Paris Apple store on New Year's Eve, stealing goods with an estimated value of one million euros (£813,000).

The police said that four masked men forced their way into the shop.

It comes as New York mayor Michael Bloomberg claims that the theft of Apple goods has contributed to rising street crime figures in the city.

The Metropolitan Police told the BBC the trend towards stealing gadgets was "significant".

Thieves broke into the Apple store behind the Paris Opera at around 9pm on Monday, three hours after the shop closed.

The police did not confirm the value of the goods stolen by the robbers, who escaped afterwards in a van.

A spokesman for the police union Unsa told reporters: "As the majority of police were busy watching the Champs Elysees [for New Year's Eve celebrations], the robbers took advantage of this opportunity."

[Ed Anger]

Armed robbers broke into a central Paris Apple store

Huh.