AN OXFORD language school is reinforcing a curfew on pupils to help cut the risk of robberies.

EF Language Travel, based at the Kassam Stadium, has different curfews for Students of different ages, ranging from 10pm for under 14s, 11pm for under 16s and midnight to under 18s.

Blackbird Leys police chief Insp Andy Storey said it was helping reduce the risk of robberies on the estate, which often happen in the early hours.

Muggers target foreign students every year, as they known to carry cameras, mobile phones, iPods and cash.

They are seen as easy targets by muggers because they are easily disorientated as they do not know the area.

Insp Storey said: “A lot of the robberies were taking place in the small hours.

“Students were seen walking around at that time and that really is an advert for robbery.

“The curfew seems to be working.

“If officers have seen students out after this time, they have gone up to them and explained about the curfew.”

Christiane Lorenz, from the language school, said the curfew had been in place for many years and host families were helping to reinforce it.