Why students need insurance!

Getting a good insurer is key, with loss and accidental damage essential! Burglary, on the whole, is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. If your building looks unoccupied and insecure it's far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured:

side gates open

accessible windows open

ladders left out, allowing access to otherwise inaccessible windows

garden tools available to force entry

untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance

Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it's worth a second look. They look to see if the occupants are at home.

Tell tale signs such as :

milk bottles or parcels on the doorstep

newspapers and mail in the letter box

unlit houses after dark

all windows shut in very hot weather - all tell the burglar that he is unlikely to be disturbed in the course of his work.

NEVER : leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding places and prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away from the front door, and do not label your house keys in case you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands. Where possible, try to keep valuables out of sight from windows . Make it look as though your house is occupied by installing timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically. Have a neighbour or friend pop round to clear your letter box or doorstep and encourage a neighbour to park on your drive. Finally - it sounds simple and your granny probably does it so take a leaf out of her book and if going out after dark, draw the curtains and leave some lights on and the TV on or a radio playing.