A SECURITY device in a stolen smart phone has taken a photo of a man using it.

The HTC phone was taken from the boy’s coat pocket when he was walking through Wivenhoe Park at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 10.

An in-built security feature was activated on the mobile which then sent the image to the owner’s email.

He then provided this image to officers.

The man in the photo, who the police are now trying to trace, is white and has thick eyebrows.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Joe Self from the Neighbourhood Crime Team on 101.