POLICE will be giving away security coding pens and advice to help pub goers and night clubbers to protect their mobile phones on the last weekend in February.

The move is part of the Nightsafe initiative in Henley where the police and licensed premises work together with the aim of helping people enjoy a night out in the town centre by reducing the likelihood that they will become a victim of crime.

More than half of thefts from the person last year were for mobile phones, and thieves often target licensed premises in case valuables have been left unattended whilst customers are at the bar or dancing or are just distracted whilst talking to their friends.

Security coding helps to deter thieves, increasing the risk of being detected handling stolen goods, and it also helps to identify recovered items and return them to their legitimate owners.

The pens are ultra-violet and people can use them to write their postcode and house number/name on to their mobile phones and any other small electrical items, which are a target for thieves. Once the ink is dry, the coding is permanent and the police are equipped with ultra-violet lights to help them identify stolen goods.

Officers from the neighbourhood team will be stationed outside two of Henley's busiest nightspots; they will be at the Catherine Wheel public house from 9pm then move on to the White Lotus nightclub with the pens and advice leaflets on Friday, February 29, and Saturday, March 1.

Henley crime reduction advisor, Julia Wheeler, said: "The officers will be handing out information about how to protect your mobile phone. We are also reminding people that they should never leave their phone on tables in pubs, clubs and restaurants."

The security coding pens are also available free of charge at Henley police station.