‘CARELESS’ THEFTS RISE

By Laura Richards - Deputy News Editor

The number of walk-in thefts at student accommodation has escalated over the past couple of weeks the Waterfront understands.

An alarming amount of students leave their doors unlocked and even wide open resulting in thieves to take their opportunity to steal items.

Students are being urged to lock all doors, even when in the house, and to make sure that valuables are not left on display in communal areas.

Michael O’Brien, third year business student from Uplands, had his laptop and memory stick stolen. “They just literally walked into the house, into my room and took the items. I am obviously upset about both items but it’s the fact that all my work was on my memory stick. A laptop can be replaced but sadly it might not be possible to replace all the work I have lost.”

Third year Sophie Jones also fell victim to having her property robbed. “I was just so shocked that someone could walk into a house and steal items especially with 5 of us in the house. It was 4 in the morning and someone probably watched us go into the house after a night in Sin City. When I realised all my work was lost, I was devastated so I will definitely be backing up from now on. It has at least made us all wary and we are all extra careful to lock all the doors at all times.”

Local Councillor Peter May stressed that every door should always be locked. “I meet regularly with police and the one thing that always comes up is burglaries of student houses.”

Welfare officer, Lance Horsey also added, “A lot of these burglaries are down to carelessness and lack of common sense. When you’re at home with your parents you wouldn’t leave the doors open so therefore you shouldn’t do it in your student home. These burglars are opportunists and not organised, if they see an open door they will take advantage of it.”

Horsey added, “When returning after the holidays it is even more important that doors are locked as thieves will know that you have new valuables from Christmas.”

For more information on contacting local police visit – ourbobby.com