University students in Derbyshire are being warned that they are increasingly likely to be a target for thieves - especially burglars.

How can you combat campus crime?

Student days are supposed to be some of the most carefree of your life but what happens when you're targeted purely because you're at Uni?

Canny thieves have cottoned on to the fact that there's money to be made out of the penny-less student.

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It doesn't take an academic genius to figure out that if you've got a five bedroomed house, filled to the rafters with undergraduates, the place is going to be an Aladdin's Cave of TVs, videos, Playstations, bikes, phones and stereos.

Imagine how much worse your hangover would feel in the morning if you're responsible for your own and your housemates' property being stolen.

Mark Kennel - Burglary Reduction Project

Mark Kennel from the Burglary Reduction Project in Derby told us: "We're dealing with professionals here, they know exactly how to spot a student house. Signs in front windows directing visitors to a back door, wheelie bins full of beer bottles and lots of young people coming and going, these are just some of the telltale signs."

Young people's lack of awareness seems to be the biggest aid to the campus crook.

Mark Kennel explained: "Not meaning to patronise or stereotype, however, some students can be accused of stumbling home in a stupor in the early hours, staggering in through the front door and then just leaving it open. Imagine how much worse your hangover would feel in the morning if you're responsible for your own and your housemates' property being stolen".

Susie Rushden, Education and Welfare Sabbatical at the University of Derby agreed: "We really need to raise awareness. For some students this is their first time away from home and they've never had to think about how to keep a home safe. We need to get them thinking about how they can be more secure, that's why the UDSU have been working with the Burglary Reduction Project"

As well as setting up a stall and chatting to students at the University's freshers' fair in September, the Burglary Reduction Project will also be hosting a number of open evenings at the university and in the residential halls.

They'll be informing students about a variety of crime prevention techniques including alarms, marking property with UV pens and other more obvious common sense methods.

What if you're caught out though? Susie Rushden advises: "First of all call the police, it's important that all student crimes are reported. They'll advise you what to do next. Some students panic, maybe thinking that their parents will be angry, especially if they're not insured. Then, if you're still feeling worried get in touch with the Student Union, we've got people on hand here to talk you through it."