Police have increased patrols in west Hull after burglars targeted student properties.
Officers are now warning students, thousands of whom have just arrived in the city, to avoid becoming an easy target for opportunistic thieves.
Extra officers will this month patrol the streets close to the University of Hull in Cottingham Road to deter thieves and offer students advice about keeping their homes secure.
Two properties in the Newland Avenue area, both occupied by students, were targeted by burglars on Saturday night.
PC Andy Allen, crime reduction officer for Hull, said: "We are determined to get the message to as many students as possible that there are people out there, if given half a chance, who will get into your properties and take what they can.
"Students are often people who are leaving home for the first time and can be slightly naive when it comes to securing their homes.
"Our message to students, and anyone else for that matter, is a large percentage of burglaries happen because doors and windows are left open with valuables left in full view.
"Even if people are leaving a room to make a cup of tea they should probably close any window that shows items left alone in the room they have left. There really are criminals out there who are that opportunistic."
Officers are also appealing for information about the burglaries in Grafton Street and Edgecumbe Street. The house in Grafton Street was burgled between 8pm and 11pm, while the other property was broken into between 7pm and 10.30pm.
It is believed thieves entered both properties through open windows. Electrical items and money were stolen.
PC Allen said: "We are working hard with students to make sure they take responsibility with their homes and their belongings.
"Once they purchase laptops, or whatever it may be, they should have these expensive items marked and registered.
"People need to realise how quick and easy it is for burglaries to take place – in some cases, we are talking just four or five minutes and something expensive can be stolen."
Anyone with information about the burglaries should call Humberside Police on 101.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
'Burglary can have high personal impact on victims'Richard Brooks, president of Hull University Union, said: "The reduction of student burglary is a priority as we know the high level of personal impact it can have on victims.
"The union works alongside partners such as Humberside Police to ensure we do everything within our power to make the environment in which our students live and study as safe as possible.
"During WelcomeFest, we welcomed the police on campus, where they encouraged hundreds of students to register valuable items with Immobilise.
"Initiatives like registering property and downloading apps to trace mobile phones can prevent theft."
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