The theft of electronic gadgets from teenagers is constantly on the rise in the UK as teens represent a soft target for criminals, and gadgets such as handheld games consoles and MP3 players such as iPods are easy to sell on. They can also be sold for decent money, so they’re something that criminals look for when picking their targets.

A teenager in Dudley was mugged for his iPod on Friday, during the midday rush in the town centre. The nineteen-year-old was robbed by an Asian man, who demanded his iPod before feeling towards the town centre bus station. The teenager wasn’t harmed, and the police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crime.

This is the latest in a long line of brazen attacks in the UK where teenagers have been robbed of their iPods and mobile phones. Police have warned teenagers to be careful when using their technology in public.

If you’re using an MP3 player or iPod, be careful not to flash it around in public, even when it’s the middle of the day.