Heading off to university? How to keep your student digs & gear secure

4. Get Insured

Students are a common target for thieves because they typically own multiple devices and gadgets to aid their studies and social life. Student Contents Insurance - covers things like your phone, laptop, bike, and even your clothes against fire, theft, and accidents giving you financial protection for your belongings whilst you're a student at university.

If you are considering taking out an insurance policy, make sure you have enough coverage to insure all the belongings you care about most or are the most valuable. You don't want to make a claim to find out half of your stuff isn't covered.

5. Mark and Register your belongings

Mark your possessions with a UV pen—the initials of your university and student registration number make a good identifier.

Register phones, laptops, game consoles, tablets, cameras, and jewellery by make, model and serial number but if you don't have an identifier use a UV pen marking, asset label code or engraving - the system accepts them all. For mobile phones, include your IMEI number(s). To find the 15-digit number, dial *#06# on your handset to display it. Remember, there may be more than one, so add them all. These are all important identifiers that help the authorities return items that have been recovered.

If you own a bicycle, invest in a good quality lock and when it's not in use keep it secure and out of sight. Take a few photos of your bike and register the details on Immobilise, making sure you include the frame serial number and other unique markings. You can add as many items of property as you wish to your Immobilise account; it's completely free of charge.

8. Protect Your Digital Life

• Secure Your Devices: Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all accounts.
• Back-Up Important Files: Regularly back up your work and important documents to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
• Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks without using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

11. Sensible Habits

• Don't Leave Valuables in Plain Sight: Keep expensive items like laptops, phones, and jewellery out of view from windows.
• Keep Common Areas Tidy: A clutter-free environment makes it easier to spot anything unusual or out of place.

12. Report Suspicious Activity

If you notice anything suspicious, report it to your accommodation's security team or the authorities immediately. Timely reporting can prevent potential crimes - call the police on 101 (for non-emergencies) or visit your local police website and use the "Report a Crime" option.