The University of Sheffield and the Students’ Union have joined forces with South Yorkshire Police to spread important safety messages and advice during Crime Prevention Week 2013 (2-8 November). University security staff, South Yorkshire Police and the Students’ Union are hosting interactive information stands on the University Concourse from November 6 to 8, between 11.30am and 2pm. All students and staff are invited to learn about the best ways to prevent crime.
The event, hosted by the University’s Security Services, will give students and staff the opportunity to learn how to prevent themselves and their homes being targeted by opportunist thieves. Students will also receive free property marking kits. Over the past 12 months crime on campus has fallen 43 per cent thanks the uni says to the partnership between the university and the police. In the 2011-2012 academic year 298 incidents were reported but this was reduced to 169 crimes in 2012-2013.
Richard Yates, Head of Security Services, said: “Working together in partnership with our students and South Yorkshire Police has and continues to be a great success. The reduction of student burglary is a key priority for the partnership, as the crime of burglary has a high level of personal impact upon victims. Although the reductions in crime at the university are welcome, there is no room for complacency.”
Safety Tips
Don’t advertise your expensive equipment to burglars – don’t leave it on display
Stop sneak thieves- When you’re out, keep your phone in your pocket or bag, not on the table.
Sheffield is a thriving and vibrant city and our students add to that vibrancy. It is the mission of the security services working alongside partners to ensure that we do everything within our power to make the environment in which our students, staff and visitors live and work while engaged with the University as safe as possible.”
Sheffield has again retained its claim as England’s safest major city – with residents running just a one per cent risk of suffering violent crime. Figures from the Government, complied by police forces in the eight largest cities outside London, show Sheffield has the lowest rate of them all – whilst in nearby Nottingham and Manchester the chance of suffering a violent crime stands at nearly 2.5 per cent.
Like it, lock it, keep it
Rebecca Barnes, Welfare Officer from the University’s Students’ Union, said this figure could be improved even further as many crimes are preventable.
“I have noticed that safety is not something that many of us will think about until we have suffered a bad experience – which is usually preventable,” said Rebecca.
“Throughout the year, the Students’ Union and University work with our police liaison officer to get students thinking about making their houses more secure and encouraging them not to leave valuables on show.
“Although this is not the most glamorous of topics, the messages and freebies during Crime Prevention Week could prevent theft or even help you to get your valuables back in your hands.
“Registering valuable items with free websites such as immobilise.com, downloading apps to trace mobile phones or simply locking your back door can all help to make living in the safest large city in the UK, even safer!”
PC Bob Kenney, University Liaison Officer from South Yorkshire Police said: “Student halls of residence, student houses and students generally can be a top attraction for would-be burglars or thieves. As a result, we work closely with local universities, colleges and schools across the county and although crime is relatively low in South Yorkshire, students remain a top target for criminals. And it’s easy to see why. Students own more expensive consumer goods per head than the rest of the population. They have laptops, mobile phones, iPads, and televisions and often walk around with some of this electronic gadgetry making their way to and from the library and university campus.
“By taking a few simple precautions, you can help to make sure you don’t become a victim. It only takes minimal effort but can save you maximum inconvenience, cash and even injury. It’s all about common sense.”
