Thefts from children and teenagers on the streets of Essex are becoming commonplace. In the past two years over 500 mobiles have been stolen, including dozens of MP3 players, iPods, games consoles and even laptops. Children as young as eleven have been the victims of crime in a spate that has seen technology such as MP3 players targeted by thieves.

The findings show that owners of gadgets are not safe to display their technology on the streets, but the police insist that Essex isn’t a high risk area when compared to other parts of the UK. According to Essex police, thefts of mobiles for instance are falling from the figures from the last two years.

Brighton and Hove is a particularly bad area for thefts of mobiles and laptops however. Figures have shown that teenagers are being targeted for their mobiles and MP3 players. The most likely age-group to be mugged in Brighton is the fifteen to sixteen age-group. According to Sussex Police, the increased visibility of mobiles and MP3 players as a status symbol and fashion accessory had led to the increase in thefts.

On the subject of mobile phone theft, he said:

Police and the communications industry have been working together to find ways to make the theft of mobile phones worthwhile. One particularly effective method has been immobilising equipment.

They advise that anyone with technology such as MP3 players and laptops should try and avoid showing them off in public places.

According to recent research, in 2005 – 2006 40% of muggers in the UK were aged between eleven and sixteen.