Residence thefts on the up

It's a curious phenomenon that thefts from residence rooms seem to increase as exams approach and the semester starts winding down.

Campus Protection Services' (CPS) operations manager Vincent Ricketts has warned students to lock their rooms whenever they leave them, even for a quick shower or visit to a friend's room. As exams approach, many students in residence study together and unoccupied, unlocked rooms offer easy pickings.

As winter approaches thefts from and of vehicles also tend to rise. So please be sure to lock your car - and lock away any valuables in your boot. And even if the rain is pelting down, don't skimp on activating security devices like gear locks and alarm systems.

Good news on the crime front is that CPS caught two men who had robbed a student on the Mostert's Mill footbridge. CCTV cameras monitored the two men moving from upper campus towards the M3 footbridge and CPS officers were able to pick them up after they saw the men robbing the student of his cell phone and wallet. Fortunately, CPS backup had already been alerted and had begun moving into the area. The men were formally arrested by Mowbray police.