Student users are being targeted

Seventy five percent of people in the area have mobile phones and thousands more received new ones for Christmas.

Adverts will encourage users to get their new mobiles marked.

And they will be urged to tell police and their network provider if their phone is stolen, so they can be disabled and made unusable.

Students 'most at risk'

Merseyside police will also be holding 17 'drop-in sessions' offering advice at colleges in the city over the coming weeks.

It's easy to forget the few simple steps which may prevent you from becoming a victim of crime Chief Superintendent Paul Forrester, Merseyside Police

The two-week long advertising campaign will target the city's 100,000 secondary and further education students who are believed to be most at risk of falling victim to this type of theft.

Chief Superintendent Paul Forrester said: "Thousands of people receive mobile phones for Christmas or treat themselves to new ones in the January sales.

"In the excitement, it's easy to forget the few simple steps which may prevent you from becoming a victim of crime."

As well as reporting thefts, mobile phone users are advised to record their phone number and IMEI - the15-digit serial number, which can be found behind the phone battery - in a safe place away from the phone.

Students attending the drop-in sessions will also get the chance to enter a free draw to win a mobile phone.