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Designed to help locate lost items, tracking devices are being misused to stalk people, according to the police.

Police in Finland are investigating new types of crimes involving small tracking devices being used to stalk individuals.

Cases are emerging around the country where tracking devices have been planted in cars or tracking programmes installed on victims’ phones.

The cases often involve men stalking their former partners.

Tracking devices are intended to help people keep track of their belongings. Many people attach these tags to their keys or backpacks as a precaution.

Apple’s AirTag is one of the better-known tracking devices. It’s slightly smaller than a two-euro coin, equipped with a speaker, bluetooth antenna and a battery. The device costs around 40 euros, and its battery lasts for about a year.

Apple said it has sought to stem AirTag misuse. If an unknown AirTag ends up with someone’s belongings, it eventually starts emitting a warning sound. In addition, if a victim has an iPhone it will alert them to the presence of an unknown AirTag. Tracking devices may, however, go undetected if victimes use a different brand of phone.

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