Larcenies are on the upswing in Harvard Square bars and restaurants, according to a community advisory issued last week by the Cambridge Police Department (CPD).

"Every time there's a Commencement, there's an increase [in crime]," said Frank T. Pasquarello, CPD public information officer. "People do seem to take advantage of it."

Pasquarello said Commencement and summer weather bring an influx of out-of-state tourists who are more susceptible to criminals.

The advisory reports that after a decrease in larceny in the last two months, incidents are increasing again. A string of crimes in February and March, concentrated on Church Street, declined after police arrested one sus- pect.

According to the manager of the Border Cafe onChurch Street, restaurant owners can take severalprecautions to guard against larcenies. Themanager said he tells female patrons not to leavetheir purses dangling over the backs of chairs andwatches for individuals who sit in the restaurantwithout ordering.

One employee of Lee's Sandwich Shop on ChurchStreet had a simpler prescription.

"We just keep our eyes peeled, that's all," shesaid