BEWARE of burglars - that is the message being sent to students settling into their new university digs.

Across the country, students are moving into university accommodation - many of them leaving home for the first time.

But while they get used to halls of residence or rented homes, criminals are preparing to strike.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association has researched burglary trends among students and has predicated that 11% of the 350,000 students starting university this year could be burgled.

That's 38,500 students statistically at risk of losing out to thieves this year.

BIBA says the average cost of a student-related burglary is £900.

The research shows that students are prime targets as they have costly equipment such as computers.

Many are also living away from home for the first time and are unaware of basic security steps.

Kasia Baldwin, of Huddersfield University Students' Union, said advice is available to students on how to protect their belongings.

She urged students to visit the student advice centre, which is based at the Students' Union building on the university's Queensgate campus.

She said: "If someone is coming in to see us about accommodation, we do stress that it is important for them to think about keeping their possessions safe.

"This is particularly important for second year students, who are often moving out of the safety of halls into private accommodation."

The BIBA research shows that despite the risk of burglary, only 40% of students have their belongings insured.

* To find a BIBA registered broker, visit www.biba.org.uk or call 0870 950 1790.

* Ensure the locks on your accommodation are secure. If not, ask your landlord to replace them.

* Ensure that windows and doors are properly locked when you are out. Also lock up if you are at home but are going to be unable to hear or see an intruder - for example, if you are in the bathroom.

* Lock your own room when you go out and make sure your valuables are inside. If they are in a communal area, your insurance may not cover them.

* Do not leave valuables near windows where they can be seen from outside.

* Mark your valuables with your name and address, using an ultraviolet pen. This means belongings can be returned to you if they are stolen and recovered by police.