POLICE are urging students to be on their guard against thefts and burglaries.

Durham Police have launched Operation Westcliffe, aimed at raising awareness among Durham University students of opportunist crime at their term-time accommodation.

Officers have been visiting student areas to talk to the young scholars, conducting patrols, testing door handles and identifying vulnerable premises.

Paul Coburn, a police community support officer (PCSO) on the city beat, said: "Once identified, the occupiers are spoken to and given advice on target hardening and the importance of securing their property."

Police say the vast majority of student burglaries happen as a result of insecure windows and doors.

Recently, a student house was burgled while the tenant was upstairs, raising concerns over personal safety issues.

Paul Anderson, Neighbourhood Inspector for Durham City, said: "Durham has a very low crime rate compared to other cities in the UK.

"If occupiers follow simple steps, crimes against students will continue to reduce and remain low for years to come.

"So, students, please don’t be surprised if you find officers trying doors. Rather it be us than a burglar."

Meanwhile, there has been a spate of diesel thefts from lorries in the Bowburn area, near Durham.

On one occasion, a driver was asleep in his lorry cab when he was awoken by someone trying to siphon the diesel from his fuel tank.

The would-be thief ran off leaving all his equipment behind.

Insp Anderson said: "Lorries contain quite a bit of diesel and the thieves would require large containers to hold all the diesel.

"We have recently made two arrests from the Bishop Auckland area but the thefts continue. This may have something to do with the price of fuel at the moment but I would ask if anyone witnesses anything suspicious, please let us know."

To report a crime, call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365.