Student burglary prevention guide

Derbyshire is a safe place to live and study, but it’s important to know how you can protect yourself and your property and what to do if, for example, you have something stolen. We’ve pulled together the best preventative measures you can take to minimise your chances of becoming a victim of crime.

At home/in halls of residence: 

• Lock doors and windows, even if you are only popping out for a few minutes, or down the corridor to a mate’s flat
• Keep keys out of sight and away from the front door – this prevents people being able to use a device to hook keys out through the letterbox
• Keep valuables out of sight and remove them from ground floor windows
• Don’t keep spare keys under mats or other locations outside the home
• If you have a back gate or entrance, make sure it’s kept shut and secure at all times
• Don’t attach your name or address to your house keys
• Keep doors to communal areas locked
• Make sure you know who you are letting into the building and don’t let anyone tailgate you
• Make sure your property is insured
• If living in halls, make sure you know the number of the university’s security team – keep it printed off somewhere handy, like your fridge door and also keep a copy of it on your phone
• Security cameras, lights and alarms all help to keep a property secure – you could speak to your landlord about this if you are renting

Securing your tech:

Tech is a key part of our everyday life, so it's important to make sure it's kept secure. 

• Consider installing a tracking app on your phone/tablet that allows you to find its location and delete data remotely
• Keep a record of your phone’s IMEI number as this is unique. You can find this by dialling *#06#
• Carry your laptop in a normal bag, rather than a laptop case, so it’s not obvious
• Mark high value items with your details using a UV pen. If they are lost or stolen this can help us return them to their rightful owner
• Never leave your laptop unattended, even if you are in a university building
• Register your items with immobilise: www.immobilise.com

Bike security:

Over 88,000 pedal bikes were stolen in England and Wales between 2019 and 2020. Here are some top tips to keep your bike secure.

• Keep your bike out of sight – don’t leave it by the front door or unlocked in a communal area
• Buy a sold secure D lock and ensure you always lock it before you leave it
• Insure your bike and register it on the national database: www.bikeregister.com
• Record the serial number of your bike and take photographs of it
• Where possible lock your bike to something fixed, such as a bike rack
• Protect your data and review your privacy settings on fitness apps. These apps track your GPS and often cyclists start their track from home. Details available on these apps can indicate who has a bike in the local area and pinpoint its location.

Let's talk admin:

No one wants to become the victim of identify theft or fraud, so it’s important to make sure you know what to do with confidential documents and personal information.

• Don’t leave personal details in view of windows and communal areas. These should be kept in a safe place, such as a locked drawer
• Destroy old bank statements/receipts/letters properly e.g. by shredding
• Destroy old bank cards by cutting through the chip and the magnet strip. Report any lost or stolen cards to your bank immediately – and you can sometimes freeze them on your banking app
• Be suspicious of calls, texts and emails that ask for personal information, account details or PIN numbers. This is key when student loan payments are due, as this is a common target for fraudsters
• If you move house/flat make sure you inform your university and other organisations of your new address. You can also arrange to have your mail forwarded on via Royal Mail for a cost. Ensuring your mail is going to the correct address can help to combat fraud.

House parties: 

These are popular with lots of students as a way to socialise, have fun and bring everyone together, but it’s important to be mindful of who you are letting into your house and how to keep your property safe.

• Keep invitations to people you know and don’t be afraid to ask people to leave if they have turned up uninvited
• If you’re living with other students who are hosting a house party and you have no control over who attends, move your personal/high value items to your own room and ensure you keep the door locked, even if you are in another room in the property
• Keep guests to communal areas and ensure they know that other rooms are off-limits
• Keep an inventory of items – this will make it easier to track down any missing items in the event they are stolen
• Be respectful of other people in your household and ensure they are aware of any plans to host a party, the number of guests and the timings.

Personal safety: 

Are you new to the area, or have you lived here all your life? Either way it’s a good idea to follow these safety tips whether you’re on a night out or travelling home from a late lecture.

• Travel home in a group, where possible. If you have to travel home alone, make sure someone knows what time you are due back and the route you are taking
• Where possible, stick to well lit areas and busy roads
• Hide your wallet/purse/phone in a secure pocket or bag
• If using headphones make sure the volume isn’t too loud, you still want to be able to hear what’s going on around you; consider only putting one earpiece in
• Ask your Student Union for the details of trusted taxi firms and ensure they are licensed
• Be aware of your surroundings when using cash machines and check for signs of interference before using one
• Never let your bank/credit cards out of sight at restaurants/shops – this will help to prevent them from being cloned
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers
• Don’t accept a drink that you haven’t seen being poured. Always keep your drink in your hand or where you can see it
• Look out for your friends and help them get home safely if they’ve had too much to drink

Have you heard of StreetSafe? This is a service that allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving us your name (anonymously). This includes issues like poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, or vandalism, as well as instances where you feel unsafe due to someone following or verbally abusing you. You can find out more or complete a form here: StreetSafe | Derbyshire Constabulary

Going home for the holidays? 

Whether it’s time for the summer holiday or visiting family and friends for the Christmas break, there are moments when your student accommodation will be empty for long periods of time. It’s important to do what you can to keep your property safe whilst you are away.

• Take valuables home with you
• Remove signs that it is a student property e.g. posters, alcohol bottles from the windowsill – this will help to make it look like a standard property
• Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the property whilst you are away – this could include putting the bins out/taking them in etc.
• If you are expecting any deliveries whilst you are away, then ask for them to be delivered to a neighbour or to your family home. Parcels left outside show that no one is home.

Want to know more about what’s happening in your local area? Then sign up to Derbyshire Alert: www.derbyshirealert.co.uk