Police warn of surge in thefts and burglaries

Leicestershire police have officially warned the public to take care of their belongings after a dramatic increase in robbery since the start of the year.

The warning is particularly relevant to students, with half of campus crime recorded as theft-related.

In total, 170 crimes of theft and robbery were reported in Leicester in just 90 days with most taking place on Friday and Saturday night, when students and locals alike go out to socialise and celebrate the weekend.

Nightclubs and busy bars are the perfect place for Leicestershire thieves to target unsuspecting students, and with the drink flowing, it’s easy to be unaware of your surroundings. On top of this, half of crimes on campus in 2014 have been theft of some kind.

Bikes too, have been amongst possessions that have fallen to theft and with many of Leicester’s students choosing to cycle between home and campus, many might find themselves vulnerable to daylight robbery.

The library is one place that sees a lot of items go missing

Sgt. Andy Smith of Leicester Police has ‘urged people not to use their mobile phones on the street’. He also said, whilst in nightclubs, ‘never leave anything, especially bags and purses, unattended’ and ‘be aware of others getting to close to you and needlessly bumping into you’.

For cyclists, you can register your bike with the University of Leicester for £10 which allows you to store your bike on campus outside the David Wilson library with the use of a high quality, steel D-lock, to secure your bike and help deter possible thieves.

Sgt. Smith added that ‘officers in plain clothes will be out and about on night shift, looking at specific areas to implement active crime prevention and reduction.’