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Burglars 'befriend' drunken students
Burglars are picking off revellers staggering home drunk from a night out, then following them to break into their homes, police have warned.
At least four incidents in Oxford during the last two weeks are being investigated by police who believe many more similar burglaries have gone unreported.
Gangs of burglars are said to be waiting in the Cowley Road area at night in the hope of spotting a drunk student or a young reveller who has had too many drinks.
Sometimes they befriend the partygoer or wait until they are opening their front door and either help them with their keys, or ensure the door is left ajar, before quietly sneaking inside unnoticed.
Officers fear these burglaries may increase as more students head out drinking in the coming weeks to celebrate the end of exams.
Pc Craig Burchall, of Oxford's burglary team, said: "We are becoming aware of a group of people following drunk students home on a Friday and Saturday and getting into their homes. Often they are walking in after them or offering help at the door, then burgling their property.
"They hang around on Cowley Road in twos or threes near the bars and clubs and wait for people walking back drunk on their own. They look for people staggering, offer to help but then burgle their house.
"We've had a couple of incidents but we're pretty sure it's been happening more."
There have been at least four reported incidents of drunken students in East Oxford being followed home and burgled. Arrests have been made but no-one has been charged.
Laptops, mobile phones and MP3 players have all been stolen in the raids.
Pc Burchall added: "If they are challenged or seen, they will walk away and try an easier target. They're not aggressive, but just on the lookout for people drunk wandering back."
People are being warned to be on lookout between 9pm and 2am in the Cowley Road area. Police have now increased patrols and the number of plain clothes officers on the beat.
Det Sgt Marc Tarbit, of Oxford burglary team, is pleading for anyone who has been a victim to report it to police. He said: "Students and young people should make sure when they leave the house to secure all doors and windows.
"Then when you return home after a night out, be aware of who is around you. We are currently talking about a low number of offences. We don't want people to get paranoid and think they're being followed home but just to take simple precautions."
A spokesman for Oxford University said students received regular safety advice.
The spokesman added: "The students are adults and living their own lives. There are limits to what the university can do. If they get drunk and rely on strangers to help them, it's not for the university to do anything - they live their own lives."
8:31pm Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Joe, Marston Road on 9:05pm Fri 16 May 08
This is not a new scam. When I worked in Security for Brookes 10 years age this was common place.
Suspect it may be a new breed of crims carrying it out this time.
Very dangerous; but vunerable students who have partaken are easily led!
Be very careful and wary in these circumstances.
Silly but basic advice to all students. With the warm weather recently the temptation is to leave your windows open.
[bold]Do Not!!!!![/bold]
This is not a new scam. When I worked in Security for Brookes 10 years age this was common place.
Suspect it may be a new breed of crims carrying it out this time.
Very dangerous; but vunerable students who have partaken are easily led!
Be very careful and wary in these circumstances.
Silly but basic advice to all students. With the warm weather recently the temptation is to leave your windows open.
Do Not!!!!! Posted by: ricky, oxford on 10:29pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Joe[/bold] wrote:
This is not a new scam. When I worked in Security for Brookes 10 years age this was common place. Suspect it may be a new breed of crims carrying it out this time. Very dangerous; but vunerable students who have partaken are easily led! Be very careful and wary in these circumstances. Silly but basic advice to all students. With the warm weather recently the temptation is to leave your windows open. [bold]Do Not!!!!![/bold] [/quote] i agree,just replacing your possesions could be the least of your worries,some students have been raped..so BE SAFE GO HOME TOGETHER<NEVER ALONE!
Joe wrote:
This is not a new scam. When I worked in Security for Brookes 10 years age this was common place. Suspect it may be a new breed of crims carrying it out this time. Very dangerous; but vunerable students who have partaken are easily led! Be very careful and wary in these circumstances. Silly but basic advice to all students. With the warm weather recently the temptation is to leave your windows open. Do Not!!!!!
i agree,just replacing your possesions could be the least of your worries,some students have been raped..so BE SAFE GO HOME TOGETHER<NEVER ALONE!
Posted by: T Hancock, Oxford on 10:38pm Fri 16 May 08
A bit of entrapment is required i think.
A bit of entrapment is required i think.
Posted by: Puritan on 8:33am Sat 17 May 08
Perhaps it might be a good idea if students didn't drink themselves silly?
Perhaps it might be a good idea if students didn't drink themselves silly?
Posted by: Ricchie, Rose Hill on 10:44am Sat 17 May 08
You stagger home drunk, things happen, usually of the bad type.Idiots.
You stagger home drunk, things happen, usually of the bad type.Idiots.
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 3:14pm Sat 17 May 08
Most tourists do not stay to socialise.
Probably because the place has problems brought about by the universities.
Most tourists do not stay to socialise.
Probably because the place has problems brought about by the universities.
Posted by: jonathan, Oxford on 10:39pm Mon 19 May 08
[quote][bold]Mr Ison[/bold] wrote:
Most tourists do not stay to socialise. Probably because the place has problems brought about by the universities.[/quote] Sorry - if im missing something, please forgive me. But how on earth have you quantified that "most tourists" dont hang around to sociaise. thats utter b*llshit - unless you'd be happy to back that up i suggest you keep your ill-educated oppinion to yourself.
Mr Ison wrote:
Most tourists do not stay to socialise. Probably because the place has problems brought about by the universities.
Sorry - if im missing something, please forgive me. But how on earth have you quantified that "most tourists" dont hang around to sociaise. thats utter b*llshit - unless you'd be happy to back that up i suggest you keep your ill-educated oppinion to yourself.
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