Freshers' week means rich pickings for burglars

One in three students fall victim to crime at University each year, according to Saga Home Insurance. Little wonder, with most student digs equipped with TVs, DVD players and iPods. Replacement costs for these items alone, and a collection of just twenty CDs or DVDs, could be as much as £2,000. This is not to mention the cost of replacing digital music downloads that many people don't think to check are insured.

In order to reduce this type of crime, Saga Home Insurance is offering a free Student Survival Guide, which has been produced by the Home Office, together with the police and National Union of Students as part of its crime reduction campaign.

Nationally, around a quarter of all burglaries are through an insecure door or window1. Saga is advising parents of students looking for student digs in either halls-of-residence or private rented accommodation, to carry out a quick security check on the property, paying special attention to windows and doors to see just how easy it would be for a thief to break in.

Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive, Saga Group Ltd, said: "For many students, making new friends and socialising will be high on their agenda with security barely even registering on the list. This makes them easy targets for criminals, but by taking a few simple security measures, the risk of becoming a victim can be greatly reduced."

Saga Student Cover is available as an add-on for students whose parents have Saga's Home Contents Insurance and provides up to £3,500 of cover for contents at the student's accommodation and while transferring to and from home. There is also an additional option for the policy to cover loss or damage to personal belongings, bicycles and sports equipment, anywhere in the UK.

Unusually, Saga Student cover also covers downloaded music and other digital content up to the value of £350.

The Student Survival Guide, designed specifically for students and available to both parents and students alike, gives information about how to mark property as well as advice on protecting belongings around campus and in student accommodation. A copy of the free guide is available online at saga.co.uk/finance/household or by calling 0800 015 4752.

Before moving in ask yourself:

Does the property have outside lighting?
Is there a burglar alarm?
Do all external doors have five-lever mortice deadlocks?
Do internal doors and ground floor windows have locks?
Is there a safety chain on the door?
Is there a lock on all windows?

Tips on protecting your belongings:

Use a UV marker pen to mark possessions with your name and student ID number or parent's postcode, or use one of the forensic coding liquids that are now available
Ensure your property is securely locked when you go out - and avoid leaving notes announcing, "I'm out"!
Keep a separate record of credit card numbers in case cards are stolen
Use a timer switch for lights and radios to give the impression you are in
Make sure your TV, DVD and other valuables can't be seen from the outside
Get insurance in place before you arrive at university or college

For information on Saga's Home Insurance visit saga.co.uk/home