A computer security system which can telephone its owner for help if it is stolen has been launched in Britain.

CyberAngel is the brainchild of Dr Dyrk Halstead and actor Robert Urich, better known as the star of Spenser for Hire than for his computer crime-busting.

CyberAngel is a software package which adds an extra layer of security to a PC stopping unwanted guests from logging into your files.

Any unauthorised use of the computer will prompt CyberAngel to telephone CyberAngel headquarters and warn that security has been breached. And even if a thief carries off the computer, the maker claims they can still be caught.

As soon as they plug the computer into a telephone line, CyberAngel will again call CyberAngel headquarters and hand over the thief's telephone number. This can then be used to provide the address and even a map leading to the thief's home all within a matter of minutes.

The first the thief knows that he has been traced is when the police come knocking.

CyberAngel is distributed by Computer Sentry Security founded by Dr Halstead, who came up with the idea for CyberAngel with Mr Urich after Mr Urich's son had his laptop stolen. They hired a team of programmers to come up with a solution to beat computer theft and hackers.

The CyberAngel system has already been adopted in the US by Federal Express, Lucas Aerospace and the California Institute of Technology.