TRANSPORT police are ramping up patrols to protect university students from thieves who have been given branded names to describe how they target victims.

Officers are warning students to beware of The Easy Dip, The Plucker, The Earlybird and The Blind-spot thieves as their gadgets become easy-pickings.

Last year the British Transport Police received more than 5,750 reports of theft of personal property from train passengers in London and the South-East. It was reduction of 10 per cent compared with 2012, but hand-held gadgets continue to be a prime target for pickpockets and opportunist thieves, according to officers.

Officers are holding a day of action today to tell students to register their gadgets on a national database. It is part of Operation Magnum - designed to combat the theft of passenger property from trains and stations.

They also are keeping an eye out for unattended luggage and are offering crime prevention advice and assistance in registering gadgets. Undercover officers will also be operating, looking to catch thieves in the act.

BTP has also produced a series of video clips to help the public spot the most common tricks used by thieves. The Easy Dip is where a thief targets victims at busy and crowded trains, The Plucker targets a sleeping passenger while The Earlybird thief boards the train at the start of the journey, pick out a bag and leave the train before it has departed. Lastly The Blind-spot thief spots a victim who is distracted trying to store luggage on a busy train, or who cannot keep an eye on their valuables.

Det Insp Jez Walley, who is leading the operation, said: “As students begin the new term, we want them to protect their property. Many have high-value laptops, tablets and smartphones - easy pickings for thieves - and there are some simple steps they can take to reduce the chances of them becoming a victim.

“Logging gadgets on the National Property Register should be part of every student’s start-of-term checklist. It greatly improves your chances of getting your property back if you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of theft. The database is used by every police service in the country and can also be checked by lost property offices at railway stations. It’s all done online and is quick, easy and, best of all, free!”

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

To report suspected stolen property call the BTP on 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency dial 999. If your property is lost, you can contact the train operator’s lost property office and visit www.reportmyloss.co.uk.

The video clips can be viewed here.