With an increase in vehicle related crimes, Campus Protection Services (CPS) urge the university community be on the lookout for two vehicles that have recently been spotted between upper campus and the medical school.

Staff and students should keep an eye out for a white Mazda 323 with registration number CFR 83243 (normally occupied by four males) and a light metallic green Toyota Cressida with registration number CA 539401 (normally occupied by three males).

According to CPS operations manager Vincent Ricketts, one of these vehicles has been involved in an attempted motor vehicle theft on campus but has managed to avoid apprehension.

Should you see either of these vehicles on or off campus, please report it immediately to a CPS service centre or patrolling officer.

"Motor vehicles are frequently being broken into in the southern exit parking area (zoo parking) and in the vicinity of Cross Campus Road on middle campus," said Ricketts. "As CD loaders, tape decks and any visible items in cars attract criminals, make sure all valuables are locked away in the boot."

CPS has also reported an increase in cell phone theft during April and the first week of May. Ricketts said the university community should not be blasé about leaving bags containing cell phones unattended, even for a short period of time.

"We will also be initiating identity checks on campus over the next couple of weeks. It is a university regulation that all staff and students carry their identity cards with them at all times, and we ask that people cooperate with CPS officers when they are randomly asked to produce them."

Ricketts said he hoped the identity checks, together with regular roadblocks on upper campus, would increase CPS visibility and act as a deterrent to criminals.