Police are advising children to take care when using their mobile phones, tablets, MP3 players and hand-held games consoles that they may have received as Christmas presents when they return to school at the start of 2014.

Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Richard Hall said: “Unfortunately children can be targeted by criminals at this time of year if they are seen using the latest technology - items that are generally small, easy to conceal, desirable and can be easily sold on for a quick cash gain.
Please be discreet when using such devices in the street because you don’t know who is watching,” he said.

Police advice includes:
- avoid using your phone immediately on leaving school, a bus stop or train station because thieves are known to operate at these busy locations
- keep your mobile calls and texts in the street as brief as possible - the longer you use your mobile in public, the more you will draw attention to it
- don’t walk and use your phone to talk or text at the same time because you will be less aware of what is happening around you
- carry your mobile phone in a front pocket or deep inside a fastened bag with its strap over your head and the bag held in front of you

Other advice includes:
- property mark your phone - marking kits such as invisible UV pens are available online
- record your phone details with the UK national property register - www.immobilise.com to help police identify the owners of lost and stolen property