CARELESS students in York who offer burglars an open invitation by leaving doors and windows unlocked could see any subsequent insurance claim scuppered by police.

Letters are being sent to hundreds of properties near the University of York driving home the importance of security over the winter months as thieves target popular student areas. Sgt Andy Haigh, of York South Safer Neighbourhood Team, said officers would also be checking for unlocked houses under the force-wide Operation Joypad.

He said students who ignored police advice and then fell victim to burglars might find their chances of an insurance payout being dashed by police informing companies of their security lapses.

Recently, there were two burglaries in Heslington Road within a matter of days of each other in which thieves broke in via insecure windows or doors. Often, Sgt Haigh said, students left their homes unlocked to allow their mates in after a night out – providing an open invitation to thieves.

York South inspector Phil Cain said the move was aimed at cutting the area’s tally of break-ins and allowing tightly-stretched police resources to focus on other elements of crime through “students taking responsibility for their own actions”.

“The challenge of getting students to take responsibility for their own security is replicated each year at freshers’ time and we must ensure their safety is paramount, when some are leaving home for the first time. I fully understand that students’ years at university are a chance to explore and enjoy a lifestyle outside of the family home. However, I want every student who visits York to do so safely and responsibly.

“Various education methods have been tried with them already and when the police and university bodies engage directly with the students it is clear they do not hold their own or their fellow students’ security as a priority.

“We understand some students are being responsible but the actions of those who are not is putting all students at risk of not only losing their property but also any evidence they have obtained for their degree.”

He said police, alongside the Safer York Partnership and the university, had spent a significant amount of time, funds and resources to tackle opportunist thefts and burglaries.

“This has seen a reduction in crime on the university itself this year, on top of the reduction last year, but the issue of dwelling burglaries from student accommodation is still higher than it should be,” he said.

“It is now time for students to take some responsibility for their own security”.