Sutton police have launched a new initiative to crack down on mobile phone thefts in the borough's schools following a surge in the crime across the capital.

The scheme involves marking children's phones with a UV detector pen or tagging' it and educating them on how to cancel their phone contract if it gets stolen.

In Sutton, the security scheme has been snapped up by schools Overton Grange was the first to jump at the chance to get pupils' phones tagged.

Three hundred pupils tagged their phones in less than two hours, when a stand was set up during lunch time.

Mobile phones are allowed on the premises, but pupils are not allowed to use them during lessons or in the buildings.

The school has seen a number of phone thefts, but headteacher Keiran Osborne is confident these will now be wiped out completely.

He said: "We are really impressed with this new system of theft control for children. It also raises awareness that people should be taking more care of their mobiles.

"This system is making phones less of a target for thieves both in and out of school."

Jacqui Sims from Sutton Police schools' liaison unit said: "This should stop a lot of mobile phone thefts.

"If a thief wants to steal a tagged phone he ought to think again because the owner can deactivate the phone within minutes, meaning the phone can't be used."

Jacqui is confident the scheme is a step forward for mobile phone security. She hopes to be able to offer the tagging service to the general public in January if funding is offered to keep the scheme going.

For extra security, type *#06# into your phone and a serial number will be shown. Keep a note of this if your phone is stolen, call your network operator and give them the number. Your phone will then be blocked.

November 16, 2001 11:32