Churchill reveals cost of student theft

Thefts which occur on student campuses are costing £126 million per year, according to research from insurance provider Churchill.

On the back of its findings, the insurer has urged parents to ensure that their children’s contents and possessions are insured before they go away to university.

Some 47 per cent of students suffered some form of theft last year, Churchill claims, with an average cost of £323 to each individual.

The problem appears to be being exacerbated by students taking belongings worth an average of £2,515 away with them, with over 391,000 students having items such as mobile phones, iPods and TVs stolen.

Digital cameras, laptops and computers, video or DVD players and stereos were also among the most regularly stolen items belonging to students.

Martin Scott, head of Churchill Home Insurance, said: “Insurance and adequate security is unlikely to be at the forefront of parents’ minds as their children go off to university, but many will be surprised at the value of possessions being taken into shared accommodation or halls of residence.

“Typically these include an array of high value, portable, technical goods which are very attractive to opportunist thieves.”