THIEVES won't be given an easy ride this Christmas after police and cadets patrolled the streets handing out crime prevention advice and marking property to deter would-be thieves.

Young police cadets joined officers on the crime prevention initiative in Uxbridge High Street on Saturday, handing out leaflets to passers-by and marking postcodes on property with UV technology.

PC Ian Scott, cadet unit leader, said: "It was a really great day, we had a fantastic response and on the day we marked in excess of 1,500 mobile phones.

"We also handed out lots of leaflets with crime prevention advice, and we made people aware of how to get the IMEI number from their mobile which makes them easy to trace if they are stolen."

The day in Uxbridge was part of a London-wide initiative, but Ruislip and Northwood police have also been stepping up their crime prevention advice for the Christmas period.

The crime prevention bus is out visiting high streets and train stations in the area, warning people about the possibility of opportunist thieves over the festive season.

It can be found today in Ruislip High Street from noon until 5pm and at Ruislip tube station from 5pm until 7pm. The bus will then be at Ruislip Manor tube station tomorrow from noon until 7pm.

On Saturday it will be at Sainsbury's car park in South Ruislip from 10am until 6pm.