More than 700 university students are being given crime prevention packs in a bid to beat the burglars.
The Lancashire Police packs are being given to Lancaster University and University of Cumbria students who live in the 220 off-campus properties managed by Lancaster University Student Union.
Housing staff will hand deliver the packs containing crime prevention advice, ultra violet marking pens and timer switches.
“As the students return for the new term, we endeavour to work in partnership with the local universities to provide crime prevention advice,” explained Jan Brown, Lancaster Police’s crime prevention officer.
“The ultra violet marking pens can be used to security mark students’ property and the timer switches will make sure that their homes look occupied, even when they are out at lectures or down at the pub.”
Michael Payne, president of Lancaster University Students Union, added: “This important initiative is part of the Students’ Union and the University’s campaigns to keep students safe, working in partnership with our local police.
“The University is lucky to be known as one of the safest in the UK, and we want to maintain this as well as helping the police with crime prevention.”