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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

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Parents

Protecting older children who are leaving home

An important landmark in your child's life is when they prepare to leave home for the first time, perhaps it's to go to university or to set up their first home. Talk to your child about precautions they can take in their new home so as to avoid potential crime risks.

Reducing the risk of crime

Householders aged 16 to 24 are three times more likely than average to be burgled. Here are some things your child should consider when moving away from home:

if setting off for university, your child should know that the risk of being burgled is much lower in halls of residence than in privately rented houses or flats
about one third of all burglars get in through unlocked doors or windows, so make sure your child's new place has working locks on all doors and windows
make sure your child's possessions are covered by insurance
advise your child to mark all their property with an address, because this will help police identify stolen property
buy your child timer switches that turn radios and lights on and off when they're out - this will give the impression that someone is home
make sure your child brings valuables home during holidays, or moves them into secure storage