Hundreds of children including a 12-year-old have been arrested for mobile phone muggings, with more offences reported in the Bradford South area last year than anywhere else in West Yorkshire.

Figures released by West Yorkshire Police under the Freedom of Information Act show that in the first eight months of 2012, there were 102 mobile phone robberies in the force’s Bradford South division – the highest number in the county, followed by North East Leeds with 97.

Now police are working with Bradford Council to “educate” children about the potential outcomes faced by robbers. A new DVD, to be shown in schools in Bradford and neighbouring districts, outlines the consequences of stealing mobile phones.

The statistics show that across West Yorkshire, there were 491 robberies involving mobile phones between January 1 and August 31, with 110 teenagers arrested and five cautioned.

The youngest person arrested in 2012 was aged just 12, and the youngest charged aged 13. The youngest to receive a caution was 14. In 2011, over the whole year, there were 192 teenagers arrested and seven cautioned over mobile phone robbery offences.

Chief Inspector Dan Greenwood, of Bradford District Community Safety, said young people who commit the offences often do not realise the “severity” of their actions and the force had been working to “educate” children about theft and robbery.

Officers have taken part in the filming of a new DVD, called Robbery Not Theft, which highlights the consequences of stealing a mobile phone.

“This will soon be used in schools and other establishments locally, to underline the important message that these are serious criminal offences,” he said.

“In addition, we are currently working with Bradford Council in producing and distributing a card which defines robbery and the potential outcomes individuals face who are involved.”

The figures show that in the Airedale and North Bradford division, there were 32 mobile phone robberies reported in the first eight months of last year.

Chf Insp Greenwood said police in the area had held a webchat with pupils at Belle Vue Boys and Girls schools in Heaton about the issue.

“We are always looking for new ways to engage with young people and technology plays a significant part in this.

“This pilot in October 2012 was well received and is inclusive in our strategy to further reduce incidents.”

Coun Imran Hussain, Bradford Council’s member for safer communities, said it was ‘unfortunate’ people as young as 12 had committed mobile phone mugging offences in the district.

“These are very serious offences and more work needs to be done to support the police in working with children to make them aware of the consequences of these offences,” he added.