More than 150 school children took their mobile phones to school to get them postcoded by police.

Youngsters at Billericay School, in School Road, Billericay, queued up to have their phones marked with their post codes and attached a sticker stating the phone is postcoded.

PC Geoff Whiter, Wickford community liaison officer, said: "It is surprising how many phones we get handed in and at least if they are postcoded it identifies them."

The children were also given a Be Smart card with a list of rules to keep phones safer.

The advice is

Secure your phone by using the security lock.

Mark your phone with your postcode

Avoid displaying your phone in crowded places

Record your phones serial and IMEI numbers

Take your phone with you, don't leave it about.

To get your IMEI number key * # 0 6 #

Published Wednesday October 30, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo