Securing your house

• A third of burglars enter houses through open windows and doors.
• Keep all doors and windows shut and locked, especially when you leave the house. Don’t rely on others to do it – you could stick a poster up in a communal area to remind everyone.
• Make sure all valuables are out of sight through windows and doors.
• If you have a burglar alarm, make sure you use it.
• Property mark your valuables using a UV pen and record serial numbers on www.immobilise.com.
• If you’re not happy with the standard of security in your halls of residence or student house, speak to your landlord or letting agency – don’t settle for second best.
• Check that your belongings are insured. Your parents’ home insurance policy may cover you at university.

Avoiding cycle theft

• Get a good bike lock – D locks are best, but you should also look for the Sold Secure mark.
• Lock your bike to something secure, such as a bike rack or lamp post. Always make sure it’s secure, even if you’re only leaving it for a few minutes.
• Make the lock and bike difficult to manoeuvre when parked. Keep the lock away from the ground and keep the gap between the bike and lock small.
• Lock all removable parts and don’t leave any valuables in saddle bags or baskets.
• Security mark your bike’s frame.
• Record and register the model, make and frame of your bike on www.bikeregister.com.

Mark your property

• Marking your valuables makes it more difficult for thieves to sell items on.
• Property marking kits are available online. They usually use ultraviolet (UV) ink to discreetly mark your belongings.
• Keep photos of your property in case you need to report them to the police and your insurance company.
• Make sure the mark is out of sight, such as behind or underneath the article, but somewhere that the police can find.
• Make sure you register any valuables on www.immobilise.com. If your property is lost or stolen, having a record of your property will assist the police in returning property to you.