POLICE covering West Somerset have launched a free scheme designed to cut the number of mobile phone thefts.

In the police district between April 2000 and March this year, there were 328 mobile phones stolen - 577 including the Taunton area.

Many were taken from parked cars but they have also become a popular target with street thieves.

Most of the victims were aged 19 to 27, but almost one in five were ten to 18-year-olds.

Now mobile phone owners are being offered a security sticker scheme designed to deter thieves and improve the chances of having stolen property returned.

PC Lyn Woods said: "Mobile phones have become a part of everyday life for many people and are growing in popularity all the time - especially with thieves.

"But we are helping mobile phone owners fight back against the threat by creating a simple registration scheme."

The scheme involves writing down all the essential information - which is unique to each phone - on a special card that is then kept in a safe place.

A bright yellow security sticker is then attached to the handset to deter thieves: "If the worst happens, all the important details on the card will assist with police enquiries," said PC Woods.

More than 15,000 registration cards have been produced in partnership with Crimestoppers and Somerset West crime prevention panel.

Suggested details to record on them include the owner's name postcode and house number, the mobile phone number make and model, the service provider and the IMEI and SIM card numbers.