23/09/2003

CD-Rom on crime avoidance for teens unveiled

A new hi-tech teaching tool that will help young people steer clear of mobile phone theft was launched today by government ministers Hazel Blears and Ivan Lewis.

Aimed at 11 to 14 year-olds, the CD-Rom, called 'Out of Your Hands?', provides an interactive resource where children can learn about the problem, get tips on how to avoid crime and find out what to do if their phone is lost or stolen.

It also highlights the consequences of becoming involved in mobile phone crime, "thereby encouraging good citizenship", the government said.

Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction, Ivan Lewis, Education Minister and Jack Wraith, Chief Executive of the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF), launched the CD-Rom today at Gladesmore Community School, Tottenham, London.

Ms Blears said: "The government's street crime initiative has reduced robbery in the 10 forces with the biggest problem by 17%. But mobile phones continue to prove a popular target for thieves and young people are often the victims.

"We are committed to reducing the level of mobile phone theft and the CD-Rom will show young people what they can do to avoid becoming a victim of crime."

Tony Hartney, Head-teacher of Gladesmore Community School, said: "Young people throughout the country are often targeted by street criminals, especially looking to steal mobile phones. We are delighted that this resource will help teachers to educate young people about these risks."

The CD-Rom also includes a national competition asking students to design a mobile phone of the future which has built-in safety features. This encourages pupils to think about how good design can reduce crime. The winner will receive £250 in vouchers as will their school.

The CD-Rom will be made available to every school in the country and is linked to the citizenship element of the National Curriculum.

The £1.5 million Immobilise campaign publicises the database of lost and stolen phones. Once reported, a phone is blocked and added to the database which is shared across all UK networks and means stolen phones are useless.

To help facilitate the reporting of handsets there is a single number - 08701 123 123. More information can be found at www.immobilise.com

(gmcg)

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