Downing Rocked by Burglaries

Two burglaries in five days left Downing College on high alert last week.

The incidents, which took place in the college housing on Lensfield Road, involved the theft of “cash and expensive electrical items, including a laptop”, according to the porters at Downing.

In both cases, there was “no sign of forced entry”, with the intruder entering the property through “unlocked windows”.

Students across the college appeared shocked that leaving windows unlocked could invite such a fate.  Many even admitted to leaving windows unlocked on a “regular basis”, unaware that doing so could jeopardize their insurance claim.

A Downing second year told The Tab that “you never think it’s going to be your room. I never really make sure to lock everything up, but it might be that I have to start doing.”

With the culprit still at large, the college has warned that “there is every chance that this person will strike again”.

In an attempt to prevent future break-ins, the college has firmly advised that students “take every precaution” when leaving the house to check that they secure their windows and doors.

Whilst systematic robberies like this are rare, it is worth noting that they are not unique, with a similar spate at Queens’ College in May of last year.