Notts Police remind students to lock their doors - amid fresh burglaries
The force say they've recorded 37 burglaries between August 2021 and October 2022
Nottinghamshire Police have today (October 29) issued a fresh warning to students who forget to lock their doors - amid the party season this Halloween.
It's as the number of student burglaries over the past 14 months reached 37 - with most of those in September linked to open doors and windows.
They say the majority of student burglaries happen around the city centre, as well as around Lenton and the Arboretum areas.
According to the city burglary team, the main items stolen are televisions and electronics like mobile phones and laptops, with twenty per cent of incidents involving the theft of alcohol.
Detective Inspector Chris Berryman, who leads the burglary team, said: “Seventy percent of incidents in September were down to an insecure entry such as open doors or windows.
“We are noticing that burglars are not just targeting student houses but also flats – 19 in total and seven halls of residence so this certainly isn’t a crime that is just occurring in house shares in Lenton and the Arboretum.
“Two burglaries occurred while students were having a party at their student accommodation and items were stolen during the course of the event.
“But this can easily be avoided if windows and doors are closed when you are not in your room or your property. Students will keep their coursework and dissertations on their laptops and could be putting their degrees at risk if this work is stolen.
“Burglars want items they can sneak out of properties undetected which will not arouse suspicion and a laptop is prime pickings for them.”
Amid the statistics, 61% of recorded burglaries with the Force happened because the front door was open - while 28% happened via the back door, while 11% happened with a burglar entering through an open window.
DI Berryman added: “The data shows that an offender is most likely to enter the front door of a student accommodation with the door being unlocked or even in one case, propped open with a vacuum cleaner.
“Lock all doors and windows when not in the property, asleep or otherwise occupied where an offender could walk in and take items.
“Do not leave valuables/possessions in communal areas. A large number of occurrences showed a premises where the victim left property in a communal area such as the kitchen or living room; and had it taken. Students should store property in their bedrooms within their student accommodation.
“When purchasing and ordering something online, try to ensure that you will be able to receive the parcel in person to prevent the chance of the parcel being taken.
“Do not leave any valuables on show that could be seen by passing members of public – whether that be by closing curtains or removing valuables from sight. There are a number of occasions where items such as laptops were left on windowsills which could have enticed the offenders.”