Statement

WEIR URGES NORTH DOWN STUDENTS TO TAKE POLICE CHRISTMAS ADVICE

Posted on: December 15, 2009

“I welcome the timely advise given by the PSNI to local students to secure or remove high value possessions from student accommodation in the run up to Christmas. For many North Down students they will be leaving their term time accommodation in Belfast or further afield to come home for the Christmas period, and the temptation is avoid the hassle of taking valuable possessions home with them. However burglars will look to take advantage of unoccupied premises over the Christmas period, and houses of multiple occupation are particularly tempting to thieves as they offer several chances of robbery. Small valuables, which can be easily transported but difficult to trace such mp3 players and laptops are particularly vulnerable.

Taking simple precautions such as removing valuables and ensuring that houses are properly secured and locked up before leaving for home can play a vital role in ensuring that students are not left with unnecessary financial distress in the new year. It should also be remembered that protection of home valuables is not the only risk at this time of year, and people need to be vigilant against opportunistic crime such as cars being broken into, theft of mobile phones, snatching of cash near ATMs at night etc. Again simple precautions on all these issues can reduce the threat of being a victim of crime. I hope that everyone in North Down will listen to this good advice from the Police and enjoy a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year.”