Tracker software helps find student laptops

Nov 24 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

A MAN was arrested by police investigating the theft of student lap-tops after a software-tracking device led officers to him.

Hundreds of laptops have now been fitted with the security software, called Lojack, in a bid to beat burglars targeting University of Birmingham students arriving in the city.

West Midlands Police said three of the last five laptops stolen in the Bournbrook and Selly Oak areas were recovered during a raid on a house in Alum Rock.

A dozen more computers not fitted with Lojack and more than 100 mobile phones were also found.

A man has been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.

The Lojack software is one of a number of measures being used by police to protect students.

Small safes are also being installed on rented homes and anti-burglary packs handed out.

More than 7,000 stickers were posted on insecure homes by police officers who identified items at risk of theft and left the warning notes for residents to discover on their return.