Young women chatting on their mobile phones while out alone at night are putting themselves at greater risk of being mugged, a campaign group warned today.

A survey of 17 to 24-year-olds found 82% of women talked on their phones while out and about, with 54% believing it makes them safer as they can easily call for help.

Young men appear more aware of the danger, with 65% admitting to talking on the phone while out alone at night and just 28% believing it makes them safer.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which campaigns for greater awareness of personal safety, found 54% of youngsters also listened to music on their headphones, even though this made them less aware of their surroundings.

Ann Elledge, the trust's director of personal safety, said: "To minimise the risks when out on the streets, you need to stay alert and this means using both your eyes and your ears. By all means use your mobile to call home to say you are on your way, but don't spend time chatting on it as this will only distract you.

"It's dangerous to think that because you are chatting to someone on the phone, they will be able to help you if you get into trouble.

"In most cases they will be too far away to get to you in time to stop any violence so surely it is better to avoid it in the first place."

The survey of 80 young men and 45 young women in London found just 4% carry a personal alarm. The results were released to publicise the trust's annual National Personal Safety Day.

The charity recommends young people stay alert at all times, plan safe routes, walk facing oncoming traffic to avoid kerb crawlers, keep valuables out of sight and carry a personal alarm.