Stop, thief!
Ailsa MacLachlan talks about burglary and student accommodation.
Students have always had a reputation for being more relaxed about security, but a recent study has suggested that a third of students will become victims of crime, predominantly theft and burglary. The study also found that twenty percent of student robberies occur in the first six weeks of term, which is probably due to students’ lack of acquaintance with their new security systems. Even if you’ve been burgled once, don’t think it won’t happen to you again; the study found that student houses that have been burgled in the past are in more danger of being targeted again. Break-ins are apparently also on the increase, especially in areas of low income and high unemployment. These vague statistics may not seem worrying in the apparent safe haven of campus or in leafy and quiet Leamington Spa, but it is still useful to be conscientious about keeping your valuables safe.
As part of the study, a reformed criminal and the BBC’s ‘Beat the Burglar’ security expert, Michael Fraser, was asked to give his advice to students, which he himself claimed was very much needed. According to Fraser, since many students are experiencing their first time living away from home, they feel that they have more important things going on in their lives than evaluating their safety measures. He has been working with The Safe Shop – a security product manufacturer – to provide a visual guide on how students can reduce their chances of falling victim to theft.
Fraser suggests that it is good to know the specific details of valuables (such as serial numbers and product description), as this can help police track down the stolen goods and increase your chances of getting your property back. Getting home insurance is something Fraser also suggests as advantageous, particularly as the financial blow of a burglary can, for some, have a direct impact on the continuation of their studies. Furthermore, making your home look secure – visible security alarms and making it appear lived in – can mark a house as unattractive to any potential burglars. Getting additional locks on front doors can also reduce the chances of a burglar entering your home; picking multiple locks is a waste of their time and effort. Fraser says that fitting a second, BS (British Standard) approved lock will deter any thief and that students should ask their landlord to fit one as soon as they move in.
The visual guide produced by The Safe Shop combines all of Michael’s security tips with official advice from the MET Police and is designed to show students the easy steps they can take to prevent becoming victims to burglary.
Remember that acting on this advice won’t make you immune to burglaries, but you will be giving burglars one heck of a job getting their hands on your valuable property!
Take a look at The Safe Shop’s top tips here – www.thesafeshop.co.uk/
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