Mobile phone users are being urged to take simple steps to stop their mobile phone being stolen.

The advice is part of a week-long crackdown on a growing crime - mobile thefts spiked to over 700,000 in England and Wales last year.

Operation Broadcast - which takes place across Cardiff - aims to stress the importance of using mobile phones safely and to press home the value of security coding them.

Just being more careful about where you use your phone can help to reduce crime

Inspector Geoff Coliandris, South Wales Police

From Monday, South Wales Police officers will offer free property-marking and security advice at venues all over the city.

The operation is aimed particularly at young people - often the victims of mobile crime.

Police are advising simple measures, such as using the phone's security lock code and marking it with the postcode and house number.

They say this will not only help to deter crime, but will also assist in the recovery of lost or stolen property.

Police Inspector Geoff Coliandris, of the community services department in Cardiff, said the capital was experiencing problems over this kind of crime.

'Practical advice'

"Like many major cities, Cardiff has had its share of problems when it comes to people stealing mobile phones," he said.

"By taking just a few minutes to visit one of these events, mobile phone users can receive practical advice about how to use devices safely and have their phones property-marked."

He added people should be more careful about where they use their phones in public and avoid leaving them unattended.

Into the schools

Officers have already visited several secondary schools in Cardiff to provide pupils with advice on how to keep their mobile phones safe.

Police are stressing to pupils that they must be aware that this is a personal safety issue.

It is recognised that mobile phones are an excellent way to stay in touch with others and can add to the sense of security which people enjoy.

However, police say they can also make their users a target of criminal behaviour - especially if they are treated as fashion accessories.