British Transport Police (BTP) is today urging university students to protect their phones, tablets and laptops from theft on trains and Tubes.

As the new academic year begins, BTP is stepping-up patrols on busy lines near universities, telling students to register their gadgets on a national database.

It comes as part of a nationwide day of action for Operation Magnum, designed to combat the theft of passenger property from trains and stations.

Detective Inspector Jez Walley, who is leading the operation, said: “Last year we received over 5,750 reports of theft of personal property from train passengers in London and the South-East. This was reduction of 10 per cent on 2012, but hand-held gadgets continue to be a prime target for pickpockets and opportunist thieves.”

Mobile phones, tablets and laptops can be registered on the National Property Register at www.immobolise.co.uk

BTP has identified a few of the ways people are targetted - 

The Plucker – A sleeping passenger can quickly become a victim of theft.

The Earlybird – A thief boards the train at the start of the journey: they pick out a bag and leave the train before it has departed.

The Blind-spot – Thieves will spot a victim who is distracted trying to store luggage on a busy train, or who cannot keep an eye on their valuables.

If your property is stolen on the train or Tube, you can report it to British Transport Police (BTP) by calling 0800 40 50 40.