Word on the street Apple-picking

What it means:We've all thieved from orchards when we were kids (what – it was just me?). But the modern thief is operating in a massive, urban orchard filled with succulent, tempting electronic devices, just waiting to be plucked from careless owners. Theft of handheld devices is on the increase, and criminals are cherry-picking the most valuable items to steal – mostly those with the Apple logo. For the dedicated pilferer of iPhones and iPads, the season lasts all year round, and the rewards are abundant – stolen iPhones and iPads fetch good money on the black market.

Where it comes from:Since the days of the Sony Walkman, criminals have been trying to detach people from their devices. The advent of iPods and iPhones, however, raised the stakes. But the big companies are fighting back – smartphone manufacturers are experimenting with "blacklisting", ie, denying service to any stolen phone, and Apple has vowed to beef up the security of all its products. Until then, we're going to have to watch out for roaming hands trying to snatch our smartphones.

How to say it:"Big Ron? He got nabbed Apple-picking – now he's busy rock-breaking."

Kevin Courtney