Police have renewed a call for trades between members of the public to take place in safe areas after a mobile phone was reportedly stolen by someone who posed as a potential buyer.

Buyers and sellers were encouraged to meet in well-lit, public areas during daylight hours and to avoid inviting strangers to their homes.

The Bermuda Police Service said a report was made over the weekend that a phone advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace was stolen “by an unknown potential buyer, after meeting up with an unsuspecting seller”.

They repeated a plea for residents to instead “consider conducting such transactions in relative safety, in front of the Hamilton Police Station”.

The BPS added: “It is anticipated that other police related locations will be announced in due course.

“There were no reported injuries regarding this latest incident and inquiries continue.

“For those who choose to meet at locations other than outside Hamilton Police Station, please pick areas that are expected to have other people around, likely to be covered by CCTV cameras and that are familiar.”

The BPS issued a warning last year about a Facebook Marketplace seller being robbed.

They said then: “Items stolen under such circumstances are usually trendy brand name electronics, including mobile phones and gaming consoles.”

Advice this week included that prospective buyers and sellers should never enter a trade arrangement alone and should let others know where the handover is expected to take place.

They were told to take note of the vehicles used by traders, including the colour, type and licence plate number.

Do not conduct transactions with people whose faces were not fully visible, police warned.

If at any point you feel unsafe, the BPS added, leave immediately and contact police.

Any suspicious activity can be reported by calling 211, or 911 in a case of emergency.

Online reports for non-urgent situations can be made through the police’s online community portal at portal.police.bm.