Students incite crime, say police
Victims of the Holgate’s Hall attack and other recent incidents should be aware that they may be unconciously inciting crime, says York Police Sergent Colin Ventress.
Ventress stated that the figures for crime in the local area have dropped from 180 incidents in October 2002, down to 107 this year, but that many of these crimes could be prevented by students themsleves with common sense. He revealed that 14 to 18 year olds are responsible for many crimes, and that students are too easily providing the opportunities needed to commit them.
Students are prone to “carelessness”, as they “encourage” car theft by leaving expensive items on view. He admits that criminals “will usually take anything that seems to be worth stealing”. More seriously, Ventress stated that “occasional attacks” in the evening were more common after a night’s drinking.
A common impression in town of students is one of complacency, leading to them being branded soft targets. On campus students have a “tendency” to leave their windows open, which thieves can get through, with more “serious” matters occurring when they practically leave college residences open.
However, Ventress noted that students should also consider the potential risks of campus crime from within the university, reminding those in halls to “keep doors and windows locked whenever possible”.
Outside the “security” bubble of campus life, students must be careful how they present themselves. Locals “know” which houses are student houses, and over the holidays these are the number one targets for burglaries. Ventress was clear on the point that security in student houses tends to be poor, as many have “sub-standard locks” and urges students to “get onto their landlord” about any worries they had.
The crime figures may have decreased, although on this point Ventress seems to dodge concrete statements, implying that the evidence was “altered,” but students must “always think about what they do.”
“Awareness of crime is the key to prevention,” he stated, emphasising that students must be aware that they are often seen as a the first choice target for crime.
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