PEOPLE have been advised on how to protect themselves from mobile phone thieves including watching out for mopeds. 

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Criminals used to steal mobile phones for the value of selling the handsets on to anyone who was willing to pay.

"However, nowadays they are much more likely to be stolen for the value of the contents and the access they can get to your personal and financial information, and so we see a rise in mobile phone thefts.

"For example, many users have their banking apps or banking card details in a  “wallet” on the phone, and if they are not securely protected then the criminal has a rich source of information to use, and can empty your bank account very quickly."

To prevent a further increase in phone thefts, police revealed six ways to keep your phone safe: 

- Never leave your phone. iPad or Tablet unattended, out of your sight or visible on a table in a public place.

- Make sure your phone is not visibly protruding from your pocket where the opportunist can grab it.

- Be aware of your surroundings and only use your phone if it is safe to do so; in public places try and keep your back to a wall when using the phone, so no one can come behind you and grab the phone.

- On busy city streets watch out for anyone on bikes or mopeds following you.

- When you have finished using it, make sure you put it away, out of sight.

- Never store Passwords on your phone.