Lancashire Constabulary have told students to make sure their homes are secure after a sudden rise in burglaries.

Over the past two weeks, in the Plungington area of Preston five burglaries have been reported to the police.

Items taken include an Xbox 360 console with games, a Playstation 3 console and a wallet.

UCLan students have been badly hit by the thieves.

Patrick Pellow, who lives on Plunginton Road, had an Xbox stolen after thieves came into their house last Sunday morning.

Pellow, a third-year advertising and marketing student said that some of the blame lay with the landlord, David Hannan, for not adequately fixing the front door lock.

He said: “We don’t know whether the door was forced open or not. A few months ago we asked the landlord to fix the lock. He tried to, and I tried to, but it needs a new one and he didn’t seem to want to buy one.”

David Hannan said that there was nothing wrong with the lock. He said: “They asked me to fix the lock a few months ago and I did. I think they came home drunk or they had a few drinks, they left the door open, and they’ve just walked in.”

David Fitzgerald, 23, is a second-year sports therapy student. He had his wallet taken from in his house on Robinson Street, Plungington last Thursday.

He said: “My housemate had an interview at 8.30 AM, and my friend left the house at about 9.00 AM. At about 10.20 AM, I heard a noise but I just thought it was my friend leaving or my housemate leaving. I got up at 11.00 AM and saw that my wallet had been taken from the living room table.”

Fitzgerald said that he hoped other students would take notice of these crimes, and keep all doors and windows locked at all times.

Paul Wilson of Lancashire Constabulary said that students should use common sense to stop the burglaries. This starts with locking all windows and doors when not in the house.

He said: “They will try people’s front doors during day-time hours and if they see an open window and there is nobody home they will take advantage. When you are in your house ensure that your front door is locked and use common sense when leaving doors or windows open. Use door chains and window locks if they are fitted.”