THIEVES raided a student flat in Southampton stealing £30,000 worth of designer handbags and watches.

A total of seven bags, including two by Chanel, and a Patek Philippe watch worth around £10,000, were snatched from a ground floor flat in the city.

The victim, a student from the University of Southampton, came home from a few days away visiting friends to discover her home in Archers Road had been ransacked.

Police are now warning university students living in the city to keep windows and doors locked to prevent opportunist thieves striking again.

Thieves gained entry to the St Anne’s Gate flat through an unlocked window and once inside, raided a shelf where the seven bags and the watch were on display.

The bags included a small purple Chanel clutch and a black Chanel shoulder bag.

They also managed to escape with a laptop, iPad and a haul of jewellery including necklaces and earring designed by VCA.

Officers investigating the burglary are not linking this with any other incidents in the city, but are urging students to be extra vigilant to ensure they don’t become targets.

Police Staff Investigator Kelly Godden said: “I would urge all students to ensure their flats are secure every time they leave home and keep valuables out of sight, especially away from any windows.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who may have been offered any of these items for sale or who may have seen them for sale online, so that we can return them to their rightful owner.”

Anyone with information about the theft, which happened between May 13 and May 16, should contact PSI Kelly Godden at Shirley police station on 101.