MOBILE phone owners can make talking on the move safer this Christmas with a free security service by police.

Police stations across Lewisham are giving phone owners the chance to get their phones marked, so they can be identified if stolen.

Officers are also offering the service outside schools and train stations in a bid to stem the increase in phone thefts.

The phones are marked with invisible ultraviolet ink.

A hologram sticker is also attached to deter potential thieves and owners are given an identification card recording the unique pin number of their phone.

Inspector Wayne Chance of Brockley Police said the scheme is essential to stop the trend in which between 60 and 75 per cent of armed robberies involve mobile phones.

He said: "It is very important to try to protect the phones and to be aware that these phones can be property marked.

"This makes it easier to arrest people who are in possession of the stolen mobiles."

He added: It's a strong message to the robbers to know people are having this done."

Officers in Brockley have marked 1,400 phones since the scheme began six months ago.

Catford, Deptford, Sydenham and Lewisham police have now joined in the campaign.

December 13, 2001 11:52