FRESHERS arriving at the University of Bolton have been warned to stay safe and avoid becoming one of the third of students to be a victim of crime.

Hordes of new students are arriving in the town this week to move into accommodation at Orlando and Hollins halls of residence.

For most of the predominantly 18-year-olds it will be the first time they have lived away from home and police are anxious they feel reassured in their new surroundings.

As well as giving crime prevention advice, police are also promoting their Student Safe Zones, a scheme which many businesses have endorsed.

This gives students sanctuaries when out and about in Bolton and Manchester, so they can wait somewhere quiet if they feel threatened, are being followed or feel unwell.

PC Rick Charlesworth, who has been in charge of giving advice to Bolton freshers for six years, said: “The main advice we are giving is that students must prioritise personal safety and keep doors and windows locked, as well as registering all their valuables with immobilise.com.

“This means if things as stolen, we will have them on our system and be able to return them to their rightful owners.

“We understand that parents can be concerned as they are moving from their family homes and are worried whether their children will be safe.

“But Bolton is a safe place and community as long as students take necessary precautions such as walking only on well-lit streets at night.”

PC Charlesworth added that in the time the police have been working with the university, there has been roughly an 80 per cent reduction in offences thanks to extra awareness and more modern facilities.

He stressed that the force is not resting on its laurels, however.

Jason Pendlebury, senior halls team leader at Orlando, said: “New students must look after their belongings and make sure their room is secure.

“These are the areas they should be extremely careful.

“The safe zones are a great idea as some students can be worried if they do not know where they are but the businesses in the safe zone scheme mean they can go somewhere for sanctuary.”

PC Charlesworth was advising new tenants at Orlando Halls of Residence on September 13 and 14.

Businesses subscribing to Student Safe Zones include J2 in Mawdsley Street, and Yates’s and The Alma Inn in Bradshawgate.

For the full list of bars and restaurants in Bolton and Manchester endorsing the scheme, visit www.gmp.police.uk/content/section.html?readform&s=2EE55CFDE92918F880257B640035017A.