PARENTS are being warned to make sure their children's valuables at school after a series of thefts in Lancaster and Morecambe.

Police say the thefts, from lockers, cloak rooms and bags, follow the trend of children taking ever more valuable articles to school with them. If children must take items such as game boys and designer clothing, they should never leave their bags unattended. All property should be marked with the name of the student, preferably in 'secret' areas where they could not be easily removed, in order to help with identification.

Only the amount of cash needed for that day should be taken to school. Any trip or equipment should be paid for by cheque.

Mobile phones should be kept on the child's person at all times with PIN numbers used.