The Home Office, in conjunction with the mobile phone industry, has set out which handsets are more likely to be targeted by thieves. The Mobile Phone Theft Ratio also includes practical steps on how you can protect your mobile phone from being stolen.

More people now store valuable personal data on their mobile phones, which makes them particularly attractive to thieves, who then access sensitive data such as your bank details and e-mails. Other factors which make a phone attractive to thieves include the desirability of the phone itself, and the perceived risk of the phone being tracked once it has been stolen.

Last year, 742,000 people had their mobile phone stolen in England and Wales, with women and 14 to 24-year-olds being the two groups most likely to have their phones stolen. Thieves are most likely to steal your mobile phone if you leave it unattended, or by pick-pocketing.

To help you keep your personal data safer, we have published advice opens in a new window on how to make the most of your mobile phone’s security features, and practical steps you can take to prevent your mobile phone being stolen.