We asked security staff what you can do to avoid being burgled

“Criminal activity increases around Christmas time,” warns Paul who is stationed at Cabot Circus. “Students ought to start using certain measures to protect their homes before it’s too late.”

After a series of thefts in Redland both Paul and his coworker Lindsay urge caution, providing us with savvy pointers on how to reduce the chance of a break-in. If you’re not a fresher and you’ve recently acquired your own pad this one goes out to you.

These guys know what’s up

Don’t leave your windows open

We’re all thinking it: obviously. However, you’d be surprised to hear how many thefts are due to plain neglect. There will come a time when you open your window for a fag or to rid your room of the smell of korma before heading out and forgetting to shut it. Lindsay said: “Make sure it’s closed, even if you’re not at ground level.”

Put pins on your windows so they can’t open too wide

Ever wonder why there are holes in your window panes? It’s a preventative measure ensuring your window can’t be opened more than 10cm. Fine, you might have to sacrifice your favourite “blem spot” but it certainly isn’t worth your off-the-hook DJ turntable and Beats by Dre headphones.

One of those life hacks

Buy CCTV stickers and literally smother your house in them

This is an innovative measure Paul and Lindsay are very enthusiastic about. They said “It’s all about scaring burglars away.” You can get said stickers for less than £2 on Ebay, and Lindsay’s pretty sure Poundland stock them too.

For those of you who are more paranoid, she suggests investing in a dummy CCTV camera. These are more costly but come with a flashing LED light.

If you’re going out leave a radio and a lamp on

Paul and Lindsay claim that if you give the impression you’re at home (when really you’re dancing the night away at PamPam’s) burglars are far less likely to target you. You could even go all out and leave Burst Radio on for extra caution. Thieves will stay right away.

A sure way to keep your belongings safe x

Put shock alarms on your windows

Most of these babies are battery operated and you can set the sensitivity from high to low. They’re also pretty cheap for alarms, most are way under a tenner. If the guy stalking you is mental and tries to force your window or is prepared to smash it, your shock alarm will shriek so loudly it’ll probably knock him out.

Double lock the front door

For obvious reasons.

Get contents insurance

Now if dad’s entrusted you with one of those TVs with the curved screens or a vintage record player worth a hefty amount, Paul and Lindsay agree you should definitely get contents insurance. Pricy for a student, but if you’re the owner of either of the two items named above you can probably afford it.

We love our possessions

Both Paul and Lindsay said funding for police has been severely cut, so there’s generally less physical security. However, if you take the advice of our professions as well as draping your garden with barbed wire, marking your cutlery with UV pens and drenching your abode in anti-slip paint you’re quite likely to avert disappointment this Christmas.

“Better be safe than sorry,” said Paul seriously, and he’s right. Protect your valuables from thieves because if you make it easy they’ll keep coming back.