Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way to the bank for many thieves during the holiday season.

Students returning home for the holidays make for ample opportunities for strangers to enter homes and apartments around campus. Only, these strangers aren't wearing red suits, and they're taking, not giving.

Sgt. Brian Seastone of the University of Arizona Police Department said the holiday season did not bring a large increase in the number of campus burglaries last year; however, there was a rash of break-ins over the recess several years ago.

Jim Van Arsdel, director of the Department of Residence Life, said thefts over the winter break are always a concern but have not been a big problem.

Campus residence halls are closed to residents between Dec. 22 and Jan. 6, but residents can keep their belongings in their rooms.

Van Arsdel said in his 10 years at the UA, there have only been "a couple" of incidents in which residents have returned to find things missing from their rooms.

"Two events in 10 years don't institute a big problem in my mind," Van Arsdel said.

He also said maintenance staff will work in the halls throughout the break, keeping an eye on the halls at the same time.

"The university will continue to have security on campus, even when the university is closed," Van Arsdel said.

Seastone said the amount of police coverage on campus will not decrease over the break.

Despite the protection, burglaries still tend to increase during December, said Sgt. Ron Zimmerling of the Tucson Police Department's burglary task force. But he also said it does not have to be that way.

"In a lot of the cases, doors are left unlocked and windows are left open and unsecured," Zimmerling said.

He suggested putting lights on a timer and leaving a radio on to deter would-be thieves.

Windows should also have a supplementary lock that prevents them from sliding, dead bolts should be on the doors, and all items of value should be inventoried, Zimmerling said.

Bike thefts always rise over the holidays because people leave their bicycles outside while they go away, giving thieves an ample opportunity to go "Christmas shopping," Seastone said.

Campus residence halls allow residents to store their bicycles in their rooms while the halls are closed for winter break.

Van Arsdel said he recommends that residents bring their bikes inside.