Crime Prevention Advice For Students
11 September 2008
Students are being urged to consider the safety of themselves and their property as they move away from home and begin university life.
While new students are settling into their studies and enjoying their new hectic social lives they may forget about keeping 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.
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership are setting up a stand at the Fresher’s Fayre on Friday September 19 at the Oxstalls Campus in Longlevens to give new students tips on how to keep themselves and their valuable safe.
They will be handing out gym locker coins/ trolley coins so that students can avoid getting their purses and wallets out in public places and providing students with packs containing a UV pen for marking their property and stickers to show that their valuables have been marked.
Gloucester Crime Reduction Officer PC Kevin Ireland 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.
“Becoming a victim of crime can be both traumatic and inconvenient, for example, you may have to write an essay all over again if it’s on a stolen laptop. “
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.