O2 is introducing tightened security measures in its new concept stores to avoid further thefts of live handsets.

The operator has struggled to resolve the problem in some stores. Last week in one of O2’s Oxford Street outlets, the 3G iPhone demonstration table was left with eight empty docks after all of the stores’ live 3G iPhones were stolen.

Stephen Shurrock, O2’s consumer sales director, told Mobile: ‘People will come in and steal but not usually to that effect [as mentioned above].

We are putting new security measures in our new stores, which should prevent the problem. We want to have live 3G iPhones available in every store.’