Burglars target student digs

Burglars are just as likely to target students' homes as stately homes for the richest pickings.

Student lodgings are a potential goldmine and one in three are likely to contain goods worth between £4,000 and £7,000, according to a new survey.

The modern student arrives at university complete with a mobile phone, their own television, an MP3 player and laptop.

More than 8,000 students across the UK were studied in the research by insurance provider Endsleigh.

It found that 98 per cent owned mobile phones, 82 per cent a television set, 75 per cent an MP3 player and 67 per cent a laptop. The average female student also takes nearly £1,000 worth of clothes and shoes with her to university.

The findings appear to be at odds with the traditional picture of students struggling to make ends meet and being forced to take weekend and evening jobs. Stuart Wartalski, a spokesman for Endsleigh, said: "A student house or hall of residence could contain tens of thousands of pounds worth of expensive goods, such as laptops and digital cameras - all in one place."

The survey also revealed that more than half of students had either been the victim of a theft while at university - or knew a fellow student who that had been.

But nearly a third of the sample had not taken out any insurance - either because they thought it was too expensive or they erroneously believed their goods would be covered under their parents' insurance.

"Students need to be conscious of the risks of burglary," said Mr Wartalski. "Simply remembering to lock your door and close the windows before you go out can make the difference."

The survey comes as record numbers of young people are preparing to go to university this autumn after leaving school later this week. More than 400,000 new students are expected to enrol in September.