Young people warned not to flaunt new gifts

Young people warned not to flaunt new gifts

Police are urging young people to keep new gadgets received at Christmas out of sight to avoid becoming victims of street crime.

January is a peak time for robberies as people step out with valuable new gifts such as tablet computers, smartphones and mp3 players and young people are the most likely victims.

Officers are advising people to leave valuables at home or hide them when they are on the bus, waiting at the bus stop, on the street or even at school.

While most people are out hunting for bargains in the sales, criminals may be on a spree of a different kind, especially in busy high street areas. Most robberies are opportunistic, so by keeping valuables out of view you can reduce your risk of becoming a target.

Register all valuables for free on www.immobilise.com, as doing so will increase the chances of stolen or lost items being returned.