Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers has launched a campaign in Boston to quell the rising tide of this offence type.

Nationally, the figure rose by seven per cent in the Home Office's recent quarterly update compared with the same quarter in the previous year - and was one of the few offence groups to do so.

And young people are thought to be most at risk, say Crimestoppers, as they tend to carry expensive items such as MP3 players and mobile phones and cash in their wallets, rather than debit and credit cards.

Sue Langley, East Midlands regional manager, said: "We urge everyone, particularly young people who seem to be more susceptible to this crime, to take as many precautions as they can to help prevent becoming a victim."

The charity has teamed up with Safer Communities at Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police for the campaign, which runs until the end of March.

The partnership will be raising awareness through a variety of inventive ways, including bulletins on Facebook, crime re-enactments on YouTube, advice sent direct to Bluetooth-enabled phones via a mobile device, dubbed 'a pod', as well as more traditional methods, such as leaflets (available in The Standard offices).

Information on personal robbers to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

To help keep you and your possessions safe when out and about, the personal safety charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust has the following tips:

FACTFILE: How to avoid robberies...

Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly lit alleyways or isolated car parks

Always take the route you know best and try to use well lit, busy streets

Keep your mind on your surroundings - remember if you are wearing a personal stereo or on your mobile phone, you will not hear trouble approaching

Be careful when using cash machines. Make sure nobody is hovering nearby and do not count your money in the middle of the street

Try not to keep all valuables in one place and keep them out of sight on the street

Consider carrying a personal safety alarm, which can be used to shock and disorientate an attacker