Advice for Students in Gloucester
Thursday September 10, 2009
Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) will be at the University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls Campus on Sunday September 13 to welcome students and offer advice for keeping themselves and their property safe.
Students often own expensive equipment such as laptops, iPods and mobile phones so they can be seen as lucrative and easy targets for thieves. They also need to consider their personal safety while out in town.
Funding from the Home Office has enabled police officers to distribute SmartWater kits to students at the Upper Quay Street Halls of Residence so they can security mark their property.
SmartWater is a forensic property coding liquid with a unique type of “DNA” that traces the liquid back to the scene of a crime, thus helping police to catch criminals and return stolen property to the rightful owners.
Ian Pain, General Manager of the University of Gloucestershire Student Union, said: “It’s superb news to have secured this funding to enable SmartWater to be given to the Gloucester based students.
“We welcome students from all across the country to study at the university and want to ensure that they are as safe and secure as possible during their time with us.”
Councillor Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for community safety at Gloucester city council, said: “Gloucester is a pleasant and safe place to live but, like everywhere, there are always those who will be quick to exploit opportunities created by young people who may be concentrating more on their new course and exciting social life than on safeguarding their valuables and personal safety.
“We want students who stay in our city to leave with very pleasant memories of their time here and this funding will allow Gloucester students to mark their valuables as well as receive some useful advice.”
Tips for students:
- When you are out at night make sure you travel home with your friends and not on your own.
- Keep to well lit streets and carry a personal attack alarm.
- Try to use cash points during the day and with a friend if possible. Remember to conceal your pin number.
- Ensure you record your IMEI number for your mobile phone, along with your phone number, service provider and pin number. If your mobile phone is lost or stolen, call the central service provider on 08701 123 123. This will enable them to quickly isolate your mobile so it cannot be used to make or receive calls.
- Avoid drinking alcohol to excess and never leave your drink unattended.
- Do not leave cash or valuables on display in your room and make sure valuable items cannot be seen from the window.
- During the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays take all items of value home with you.
- Get valuables security marked and keep a note of serial numbers. This helps police prove property is stolen when an arrest is made and enables them to return it to the rightful owner.
- Make sure your property is insured.
Students moving away to university and their parents should visit the Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership website at www.gloscrimereduction.org.uk where they will see more crime prevention and safety advice.