Students at Queens' College have been warned to be wary of unfamiliar faces on-site after a burglar was caught red-handed by students and porters earlier this afternoon.

At 13.30, plain clothes and uniformed police officers apprehended a man, who has a criminal record for theft and burglary, with the help of the College Porters and several students.

The thief was caught as he attempted to scale the tall Dockett Gate at the back of the college, however intervention from unnamed students slowed him down in time for the police to intervene.

The man, whose identity has not been released, is known to local police and is believed by some to be responsible for similar incidents in Selwyn College last weekend.

Whilst the College has extended its gratitude to all those that aided the arrest it has urged students to remain vigilant and alert the porters to the presence of any unfamiliar people in the college whose behaviour appears suspicious.

Queens’ student, Will Bradshaw, told Varsity: "I’m glad he was caught but the fact that he got in at all really drives it home that the friendliness of the college doesn’t make it secure.

"As long as they look reasonably student-like anybody can get in and wander around looking for open doors.

"The administration warned us about room security at the start of the year and I think this demonstrates just how important that is."

However it is unclear how much more can be done to increase security in an environment like a college, with the high number of visitors they see each day. The onus seems to be on students to ensure the security of their valuables.

“Students should remember the importance of locking their room doors and remaining vigilant around college," Queens’ JCR President, Amanda Hadkiss, warned Varsity. "There is, however, no cause for concern.”