Police have issued safety advice after a number of incidents of mobile phones being stolen on nights out in the city centre.

As the new term begins at UCLan, officer have issued advice to students, or anyone enjoying a night out in Preston, to help prevent becoming a victim of crime.

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A Preston Police officer said: “Welcome to Preston to all the Freshers attending UCLAN this year and to all the students and staff returning.

“We know that there are a lot of great night time events in Preston City Centre for Freshers Week and hopefully it will all be good.

“However (and there is always a however) in recent weeks we have had professional pickpockets out and about in the city taking mobile phones from pockets and handbags so here are a few useful tips from our Licensing Team.”

The advice is:

• Use a zip up handbag and keep it zipped.
• Don’t leave your bag unattended. If you’re going outside for some fresh air or going to the toilets, take your bag with you.
• Shorten the strap on any bag you carry.
• Don’t hang your bag off the back of a chair or leave it next to you on the floor.
• Report anything suspicious like people paying a lot of attention to unattended handbags to the door staff.

The officer added: “Preston is still a great night out but let’s not make it easy for thieves.”

Do you feel safe on a night out in Preston? Tell us what you think in the comments section.