PARENTS are being warned by police to make sure their children stick to new safety guidelines over mobile phones for the new school term.

The warning comes as the latest crime statistics reveal mobile phone robbery is one of the biggest factors in rising street crime.

And that most victims of street mobile phone theft are children of school age.

A spokesperson for the police in East Lancashire Division said: "Many parents will have bought their children mobile phones so that they can keep in touch. But they need to stress to children the easiest ways to keep them safe.

"And although there are no statistics available as yet, we know for a fact that mobile phone theft is a major factor in rising street crime."

Children are advised to avoid using mobile phones in crowded areas and not to show off with mobile phones. The police also advise mobile phones to be security coded and registered with the network operator. A 15 digit serial IMEI number should also be noted.

Police are also keen to highlight the need to report stolen phones as soon as possible to the police and the network operator to prevent stolen numbers being used.

A nationwide database is expected to be launched in October to enable police to cancel phone numbers like credit cards.

Earlier this month a 16-year-old boy had his mobile phone stolen by four teenagers who punched him in the face in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.