You are here: Home » Current Campaigns and Initiatives » Students - What Could You Lose?

Students - What Could You Lose?

Working with partner agencies, the force is highlighting how taking simple security precautions can help prevent properties from being targeted by opportunist burglars.

The campaign has been jointly funded by the Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, the University of Hull and Safer Communities East Riding.

Crime figures to date for 2008 show domestic burglaries have reduced by 25 percent in the Hull area.

However in the last couple of years police have seen  an increase in the number of burglaries in student areas when they return to  university at the end of September.

The message to those students returning to Hull to study is  to  think of the property they could lose and  think about the dangers of leaving their  accommodation insecure.

Detective Superintendent Rick Proctor said: “It is important to reassure students coming back to Hull that is a safe place to live, work and study.

“The aim of this campaign is designed to protect students studying at the University of Hull from being targeted by opportunist burglars.

“By offering them crime prevention advice and delivering safety messages we hope to empower them to keep property safe and reduce the chance of being a victim of crime."

“Detectives are catching burglars all the time, but we would not have to if people took a couple of simple steps.

Humberside Police has the following crime prevention advice:

• When returning home lock your door immediately.
• Even if you are in the house or garden, keep doors and windows locked.
• If a door is your only ventilation and you have to leave it open consider a door chain.
• If you have locks fitted to windows use them. If you have to leave the window open for ventilation then consider fitting a window restrictor to prevent the opportunist burglar climbing in. Consider door or window chimes.
• Lock your garden gates at all times. Every time you lock a gate, door or window, you are reducing the opportunities available to the criminal.
• Don’t help sneak thieves. They only take a few seconds to steal something.
• Look at your doors and windows. Make sure you have sufficient quality locks, restrictors and door chains. For advice look at the government web site www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk
• If you would like more specific advice please contact your local PCSO or Community Wardens, who will be happy to discus security with you.
• Keep valuables out of sight where possible. Net curtains and blinds restrict what can be seen from outside.
• Hide purses and handbags and don’t leave cash lying around.
• Make sure you have your postcode and house number marked on your property with UV marker pens or similar.
• Record serial numbers, makes and model numbers of all items. Consider taking a photo of your valuables.
• Burglars are worried when your property can link them to the scene of a crime. Property marking is a deterrent.
• Remember untrimmed hedges or high fences prevent natural surveillance and allow the opportunist burglar cover from view.
• Be aware who is in your neighbourhood and contact the Police if you are concerned on 0845 60 60 222 or 999 in an emergency
• Consider forming a Neighbourhood Watch Group in your area to make a difference to your community. Your local PCSO can advise you regarding getting started.