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Property at home

Whether you're still living at home or you're at university, chances are you've got a lot of stuff in your bedroom. If you do get burgled, computers, stereos and TVs are not cheap to replace so it's important to make sure you're doing everything you can to make them safe.

The first thing you should do is get insured against theft. If you're at home, your parents' insurance policy will cover you, but if you live away from home you'll have to take out your own. Insurance companies often have special deals for students, so shop around for the best offer.

If you're going out and there's no-one else around, make sure that you close and lock all the windows and doors. It may sound obvious, but it is tempting not to bother if you're just popping out for a few minutes.

If you are at university, it's a good idea to take all your valuables home for the holidays. Student houses and halls of residence are more likely to be targeted out of term time, as criminals know there's unlikely to be anyone in the house. It might be a pain moving your computer or TV around all the time, but it's the best way to protect it.

Marking your property with your postcode will increase the chances of recovering it if you are the victim of a burglary. One way you can do this is by using an ultra-violet (UV) marker pen. You won't be able to see the mark that you make unless you shine a UV light over it. You can get a pen from most hardware stores and they're not expensive. Alternatively, your local police force may run an event at your school, college or university where they'll mark your property for free.

• Find your local police authority (do it online section)

On the move

When you're out and about, there are a few things you should remember that will reduce the chances of getting your things stolen.

It's a lot easier for a pickpocket to take your wallet or purse out of a back pocket, so always carry it in a front one. When you need to pay for something or use a cash machine, only take your wallet out when you need to and make sure you don't flash your cash about. This just lets criminals know it's worth stealing.

If you're carrying a bag, try to have it around your front with your hand over the fastening. This will make it easier for you to tell if someone is attempting to snatch it.

Finally, if you like listening to music on the move, make sure you carry your MP3 or personal CD player in an inside pocket and your headphone wires are hidden beneath your clothes.

Protecting your bike

You should protect your bike in the same way as you would protect a car - always lock it up when you leave it unattended.

You should buy a strong and reliable lock that you can use to secure your bike to a fence, or you can remove a wheel whenever you park it. You can also mark the frame of your bike with an ultraviolet marker.

To increase the chances of recovering your bike if it is stolen, you should mark it in a way which enables you to be identified as the owner, or ask the police for a recorded cycle form. Once you've filled it in, the details will be added to a national database which can help match recovered bikes to their owners.