A NEW hi-tech teaching tool to help young people steer clear of mobile phone theft has been launched this week.

Aimed at 11 to 14-year-olds, the CD-Rom, called "Out of Your Hands?", provides an interactive resource for children to learn about the problem, get tips on how to avoid crime and find out what to do if their phone is lost or stolen. Bury South MP and education minister Ivan Lewis helped launch the CD-Rom. He said: "Mobile phone theft is a crime that affects many school children and this CD-Rom will provide them with the knowledge to help protect themselves against it."

The CD-Rom also includes a national competition asking students to design a mobile phone of the future with safety features. The winner and their school will each receive £250 in vouchers.