More police to patrol campus
There will be an increased police presence on campus following a rise in the number of burglaries and bike thefts since the start of the year.
Sergeant Andy Haigh of the area’s neighbourhood policing team has said that although crime at the University has gone down by nearly 25% since 2005, more still needs to be done.
Rob Little, the University’s Security Operations Manager, said, “The most prevalent crime on campus at the moment is the theft of bicycles, with almost one a day being stolen. We work closely with the police on this and have tried a number of initiatives.”
In a bid to further reduce crime, Haigh and his team have improved the efficiency of their existing resources with undercover and uniformed officers making patrols on campus when they feel it is necessary. Community Development Officer PC Sam Bolland has also been allocated to the University campus, which has proved to be a crime hotspot for the south of York.
Communication between campus security teams and the local police force has been tightened through the creation of a radio link.
Four bike-tagging events have taken place on campus in the last twelve months alongside a sticker campaign involving warning stickers being given out to be put on open windows and doors. It is hoped this will highlight the danger of burglary.
First year Hannah Elliot, of Goodricke college, has recently been a victim of bicycle theft. “I don’t think these initiatives will make a difference,” she said. “It’s not possible for there to be police by every bike on campus.”
According to Little, sneak-in burglaries occur more during the summer term, due to students and staff leaving windows and doors open. Students are urged to report any suspicious behaviour, secure their windows and doors and lock their bicycles through the frame in a well-lit area on campus.
