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Police urge students to lock windows and doors

20/11/2008

More than a third of student burglaries occur because windows and doors have been left open, according to police.

University-goers have been urged by police to lock their properties even when they are inside to reduce the risk of break-ins.

Greater Manchester police said the statistic is the equivalent of two victims a week of a crime that could be preventable.

Chief inspector Derek Hewitt said: "Whether it is a house party in which a door has been left ajar for people to come and go, or a student leaving his bedroom window open while he pops to his mate's room, this is all it takes for a burglar to access the property and steal whatever they can find."

An additional concern was that students who left windows and doors unlocked and were burgled may not be able to claim contents insurance.

Police will be patrolling student areas in south Manchester, like Fallowfield, Withington and Didsbury, as part of crime prevention strategy Operation Guardian.

A family on Heathside Road in Withington was recently targeted for gold jewellery, according to the South Manchester Reporter.