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Officers have issued a warm welcome to both new and returning students to the city and in this week s Sheffield Star, Inspector Neil Mutch (pictured right) discusses some important safety advice for those in student accommodation.
Sadly, over the last few days, burglaries have significantly increased in areas of the city heavily populated by students Broomhill, Crookesmoor and Broomhall.
Many of the burglaries happened as a result of doors and windows being insecure. In one series of burglaries, it is reported that persons unknown entered a student accommodation block via an insecure door and entered a number of different properties throughout the block.
In the Star s column, Insp Mutch says: Burglary isn t just a financial crime, it can have a really significant emotional impact we don t want you to feel unsafe in your new home or in this city.
We know that in your first few weeks of fresher life, home security will not be top of your list but there are some very simple steps you can take to prevent your accommodation being targeted.
Thieves are always on the lookout for opportunities, so open or unlocked doors and windows are incredibly inviting. We know you might want to prop open your door so you can make friends and say hi, but if you re leaving your room or house/flat, remember to close and lock your door and windows.
Many would-be burglars will view your student halls or shared houses as gold mines for mobile phones, laptops, as well as other electronics and valuables, so please take care.
Make their lives as difficult as possible by following our Crime Reduction Officer Dene Tinker s (known as Tinks) Top Ten Security Tips for students:
Take your valuables home with you when you leave for the holidays
Always lock your accommodation whether it s the main door or your bedroom door
Make sure you have strong locks on your doors
Fit timer switches to lights if you re going to be out during the night. If a property looks occupied, it is less likely to burgled
Remember to set timer switches to come on when you re away during holidays
Don t leave valuable items on view where thieves can see them through windows and doors
Lock your door if you are in halls, even if you re only going down the corridor
Make sure that main entrance doors shut behind you and don t let other people in with you, question anyone you don t know or recognise.
Don t advertise your expensive Christmas presents by leaving packaging outside for all to see
Get home contents insurance. You may be able to extend your parents home insurance policy for no extra cost. Alternatively, many insurance companies have competitive deals for students.
Also in the column, Insp Mutch talks about staying safe on nights out, especially now that Freshers Week is in full swing across the city. Lots of you will be socialising heavily in the first few weeks of student life and our night-time economy is incredibly diverse, with restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs to suit a wide variety of tastes.
There ll be lots of opportunities to indulge in alcohol and while nights out and clubbing may not be a new experience for you, it s always important to remember your limits and look after yourself and your friends when you re out.
This includes planning how you re getting home after a night out have you pre-booked a taxi?
The student unions sometimes run night buses during term time from their events, which is worth being aware of and checking out.
You re probably all familiar already with the safety messages around drink spiking, but remember never to leave your drink unattended and if you have any concerns about any suspicious behaviour around you, report it to someone.
More personal safety advice is available here: http://southyorks.police.uk/goodnightout1
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References
- ^ http://southyorks.police.uk/goodnightout (southyorks.police.uk)