POLICE in North Yorkshire are to step up the fight against mobile phone crime from next week, in an effort to reduce the number of thefts and clamp down on fraudulent claims.

Last year, 3,642 mobile phones were reported stolen in the county - accounting for 5.57 per cent of all crime.

But research by North Yorkshire Police suggests a high proportion of these alleged thefts were false.

They have now launched a detailed questionnaire to try to deter the fraudsters, and to increase the chances of catching the real thieves.

As reported in the Evening Press earlier this month, mobile phone crime cost £238,000 in York last year, with two phones reported stolen every day.

We also reported how brave nanny, Amanda Magson, fought off a would-be thief who tried to snatch her phone while she was walking with her eight-year-old son, before collaring him four days later.

The new initiative, which comes into force on Monday, will mean anyone reporting their phone stolen will be taken through the questionnaire by the police call-taker.

Callers will give information rendering their phone inoperable, improving the chances of it being returned, and giving the police information to ensure the phone really was stolen.

Assistant Chief Constable David Collins, said research into phone crime had produced useful data. He said: "The popular image of widespread muggings for mobile phones may be a reality in some large conurbations, but is not the case in North Yorkshire."

Sergeants Hamish Halloway and Nick Walther, who conducted the research project, were particularly struck by an investigation by BT Cellnet, which looked at insured phones that were the subject of claims. It found as many as 60 per cent of the claims were made fraudulently.

Sgt Halloway said: "Almost 80 per cent of the mobiles stolen here are insured.

"If 60 per cent of these are the subject of a fraudulent claim then that means that as many as 1,650 of the phones reported stolen in 2004/5 were

not actually stolen.

Mr Collins said: "From Monday it will take you slightly longer to report that your mobile phone has been stolen, because we will want more information from you. Against that, you have a better chance of getting your phone back, there is a better chance of our catching the thief, and you will joining the growing army of people who are making phone theft pointless."

Updated: 10:52 Saturday, July 30, 2005