Students own more small, expensive, and easily sold consumer items like phones, MP3 players, cameras, tablets, and laptops than a typical family household, so this makes rich pickings for burglars. Be careful not to become an easy target.
- Always lock your external doors with the key, even when you are in the property, to reduce the risk of burglary. If any locks are faulty, speak to your landlord to get them fixed.
- Don't leave your valuables on show.
- If your accommodation has shared access, be careful who you let into the communal areas and don't let people follow you into the property if you don't know who they are.
- If you buy new expensive items, don't leave the packaging outside next to your bin; instead, take it to a recycling bin or to the tip.
- If there is access at the back of the property, always make sure that gates are locked and fences are secure.
- If you leave the property during the holidays, take your valuables with you or arrange to leave them with friends or family until you return.
- Register your valuables on Immobilise, where you can record all of the serial numbers of your goods. If they are stolen, the Police will work with second-hand stores to try and retrieve your belongings by searching the database.