NY thieves want iPhones, victims are fighting back

* Spike in phone robberies raises concern of ID theft

* New products allow users to protect their phones

* Application can pinpoint an iPhone thief

By Edith Honan

NEW YORK, July 2 (Reuters) - Thieves are increasingly going after iPhones and other "smart phones" but victims now can fight back with technology.

One device allows a user to remotely activate a loud siren designed to rattle the thief. Another application, designed for iPhones, can reveal the phone's location.

Police statistics show petty crime is down in New York but anecdotal evidence and recent headlines about street muggings targeting costly and coveted devices like Apple's (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) iPhone and T-Mobile's [TMOG.UL] Sidekick have disturbed smart phone users concerned about protecting access to e-mail, passwords and other data.

"When we have seen spikes in thefts, a significant portion has to do with ... highly desirable products," said police spokesman Paul Browne. "In the last couple of years it's been iPods, Sidekicks, iPhones."

He said most of these muggings involve teenagers robbing other teenagers and take place on subways in the afternoon after schools get out.