More than 400 children have had their mobile phones marked by police following a spate of robberies this year

Jul 2 2009 by Lyndsay Young, Crosby Herald

MORE than 400 youngsters in Crosby have had their mobile phones specially marked by police following a spate of robberies earlier this year.

Police have been out to several schools in Crosby marking mobile phones and MP3 players with the owners’ postcodes in ultraviolet ink.

They have also compiled the identification numbers from each phone onto a database so they can be traced back to their owner if stolen.

Officers have been out to almost every high school in Crosby marking the phones in case the youngsters are a victim of robbery or theft.

They include: Sacred Heart, Merchant Taylors’ Boys, Holy Family High, Chesterfield High, St Mary’s College, St Michael’s High, and also Streatham House.

Crosby Neighbourhood Sergeant Paul Wright said: “The database which holds mobile phone details so if someone is stopped on suspicion of theft and they are in possession of a mobile phone we can check the IMEI number of that phone.”

As a result of the database police have arrested one man in relation to theft and enquiries are ongoing.

The initiative follows a number of robberies in areas such as Victoria Park earlier this year, involving attacks on youngsters.

Crosby Neighbourhood Police have confirmed the situation has improved with one robbery recorded in the past month.

The initiative also follows a number of crime prevention roadshows that have been carried out by police at supermarkets in the area.

Crosby Neighbourhood Inspector Neil Turner said: “We are going to utilise the mobile police station and in shopping areas such as South Road and holding crime prevention stalls.

“There has been a positive response because they don’t want to be a victim of crime.”

To report a crime call Crosby Neighbourhood Police on 0151 709 6010 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.