Campus security stepped up after spate of attacks

October 29, 2008
Jim Bulley, Holly Hyde and Adrian Choa

An unusually high number of attacks on students during Welcome Week this year has forced the University to deploy extra campus security measures.
Additional security patrols will coordinate with police after several students were attacked on campus.

North Yorkshire Police are currently searching for a young male after three separate attacks on students on the morning of Sunday, October 19. Three female students returning from Access All Areas were approached while walking back to Halifax College past the 22 Acres sports pitches.

Police are looking for a male described as being of Indian/Asian origin, aged 20-25 with dark brown hair, thought to have been wearing dark trousers, a t-shirt, jacket and a beanie hat. The suspect is thought to have been lurking by the car park near the sports centre or along the path by the sports fields at around midnight on Saturday night.
The University issued a statement describing the attacks and location, stating: “The police have been informed and are actively pursuing an investigation. Extra University security patrols have been deployed in the area.”
YUSU Academic and Welfare Officer Charlie Leyland urged students to be careful on and off of campus. She said: “You are not exempt to attacks just because you are with other people or because you are male, the recent attacks have highlighted this so please remain vigilant.”
“Students should not walk around with headphones in at night, which leaves them very vulnerable. Porters can also accompany you if you would like to cross campus if it’s late,” she added. “I don’t want to scare people, York is generally a very safe place but as with anywhere, never take risks, for example, because a certain option is cheaper or quicker.”
One victim of the attacks near Halifax, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It was a frightening experience, and I wouldn’t want it to happen to anyone. It hasn’t been a nice start to my university career and I would like to thank the University, YUSU and the Police for all the support they’ve given me. I know they can’t guarantee your safety, and the safety guidelines seem tedious, but they are definitely valuable and worthwhile,” she added.
Halifax College Chair, David Sharp is currently in talks with the College Provost about improving the lighting along all entrances to the college, particularly those along the infamous ‘rape alley’, which runs into Halifax from Heslington village. Sharp and the Halifax College Students’ Association echoed Leyland’s advice that students should never travel to and from the college alone, and that they avoid the alley after dark.
Welcome Week also saw a number of clashes between university students and local York residents. A number of first year students found themselves victims of verbal abuse in their new town. Luke Simpson, a first year English undergraduate, faced a homophobic attack whilst enjoying his first night out in York.
“A group of local youths approached me and proceeded to launch a tirade of homophobic abuse at me. It wasn’t the greatest welcome to York,” he said.
Hattie Buxton, a first year History of Art student, experienced similar intimidation during her first week: “I felt that the fact I was wearing a University of York hoodie made me a target,” she said, after being subject to comments on her social background and status as a student by local youths.
In response to the recent attacks, Leyland said: “I have been working closely with the University for better safety provisions for off-campus students.”

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