West Yorkshire Police has warned students to be vigilant after an increased number of burglaries in recent months.

Regent Park Terrace and Royal Park View in Hyde Park have been hit by a recent spate of burglaries, with residents warned to lock up as dark nights draw in.

Poor student security has also been highlighted as a contributing factor, with police discovering eighteen insecure properties on seven streets during a recent patrol in Headingley. Fifty per cent of recorded burglaries were due to a door or window being left open.

The student areas of Hyde Park, Headingley and Woodhouse student areas have been most affected by the rise.

The University’s Police Liaison Officer PC Matt Guy told The Gryphon, ‘The biggest crime trend we see within rented student accommodation are loads of properties with doors and windows left unlocked and open even when no one is at home.’

He was keen to stress that the number of burglaries in Hyde Park and Headingley has fallen within the past two years.

Speaking to The Gryphon, a Hyde Park resident said, ‘It’s pretty scary. We’re more cautious about protecting our house since the police have come round with leaflets’.

PC Guy advised students, ‘If you live with folk who leave your house insecure all the time then they are potentially allowing burglars easy access to your house and your bedroom. Don’t accept this and make sure they don’t put you and your property in danger.’

Elli Pugh

Valeria Popa