1. YOUR UNIVERSITY. YOUR PAPER. Issue 6
S
THE
OTONIAN
Thursday, March 19, 2015
BURGLARS STRIKE
STUDENTS’ HOMESPolice urge Polygon residents to consider crime prevention
A BURGLAR who is targeting students
and their electrical goods remains at
large.
Journalism student Naomi Chaplin is
the latest victim in a series of burglaries
within the Polygon area, which has seen
a dramatic surge in burglary-related
incidents this year.
After leaving their home on Coventry
Road for a few hours, Naomi and her
housemates soon discovered that they
had been burgled, although she recalled
nothing looked anything different..
A search of the house revealed that
both her and her housemate’s laptops
were missing.
Naomi, 20, who was aware that her
neighbours had also recently fallen
victim to a burglary and many others in
and around the area grew suspicious and
then noticed the burglar’s entry point.
The burglar is thought to have entered
through a window, which had not been
properly shut. Two laptops were stolen
from the premises before the burglar left
through patio doors.
Naomi, who has many impending
deadlines, has now been left without all
of her work and is constantly paranoid
when alone in the house.
She said: “I would normally trust
that my stuff was safe, that doors and
windows were locked but now I’m
paranoid and check things religiously.
“Now I’m constantly worried - what if
someone gets in again whilst I’m out or
worse when I’m in the house.
“There have been a lot of burglaries on
my street; it’s not just a one-time thing.
I’m quite scared it could happen again.”
With Easter break approaching many
students’ homes will remain empty
whilst students return home for the
holidays, a perfect opportunity for
burglars.
Speaking to Sgt Stuart Jackson who
is part of the local policing team for the
Polygon, he said:
“We are urging all residents to make
sure they keep their homes secure when
they go out. Please ensure all windows
and doors are locked and all valuables
are hidden from view.
“If you have electrical items and pedal
cycles then keep a record of the serial
numbers and it will be easier to trace
them should they be found at a later
date. If they wish to speak to their local
Neighbourhood Policing Team then ring
101 and ask for PS 3354 Jackson.”
He also urged “a little thought on
crime prevention will go a long way”.
For further information on safer
homes please refer to the Hampshire
Constabulary website for advice on
keeping your home safe from intruders.
INSIDE TODAY
QUEEN VISITS
SOTON DOCKS
The Queen was greeted by
bagpipes and dancers during
her visit to name the new P&O
Cruises ship.
WELCOME TO
SMILEFEST
FACEBOOK TO
BAN NIPPLES
VICTIM: Naomi Chaplin is one of the students recently targeted by the Polygon burglars
Picture: Harry Mills
BY
HARRY
MILLS
Picture: Harry Mills
ENTRY POINT: Burglars
got in through the window
“Now I’m constantly
worried - what if
someone gets in again”
TURN TO PAGE 3
TURN TO PAGES 6 & 7
TURN TO PAGE 5
Facebook introduces new
guidelines to crack down on
explicit and inappropriate
content.
SMILEfest kicked off this
month to bring music students
closer to the industry. Two-
page special inside.