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roactive as well as reactive, on the ground 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a university’s security


personnel are often the first point of contact for students, staff and visitors in a university. Whether a student is feeling homesick, a member of staff has lost their phone, or the police need high- quality CCTV footage to help investigate a crime, modern security services are first on the scene. Their mission? To create a safe, secure environment where everyone on campus feels looked after and comfortable.


Crime But the challenges are not inconsiderable – and mean they must work closely with the police and senior management to protect a site which is often the size of a small town, with an unusually diverse and vulnerable young population. Theft is one of the most common crimes


to hit students. Kevin Menzies, sales manager at suppliers Mul-T-Lock, explains: “Students are seen as rich pickings by some pety criminals, who safely assume that they have a mobile or smartphone, a laptop, and other electronic equipment and maybe even a bike, a car or some designer gear.” Student houses are often resplendent


with bikes and gadgets that thieves find atractive – and multiple occupancy could mean that a burglar nets up to seven iPads in one go. Menzies believes that the right security


equipment is crucial. He says: “As universities look to the next academic year, we believe many incidents of theft can be easily prevented. Upgrading the locks in doors can make a significant difference to the security of students, staff and visitors. But equally important is the advice and guidance regarding personal safety as part of the induction process for new students.” It’s a view held by most in security –


that it’s not just their belongings, but students’ behaviour, that can make them vulnerable. Police constable Tim Davies is student liaison officer at South Wales Police, a role that involves him working closely with university staff to improve safety on campuses in his area. He says: "Students may come from villages of six houses, places where it’s okay to wander around on a mobile phone at two in the morning, or they may come from Shanghai and feel they know everything about living in a city.” Pairing the right equipment with the right intervention from security


“Students are seen as rich pickings by some petty criminals, who safely assume that they have a mobile or smartphone, a laptop, and other electronic equipment and maybe even a bike, a car or some designer gear”


and the police can reap dividends for the community. In Cardiff, the police, local authority and university teams have successfully worked together to improve vulnerable areas of the city. The police identified five streets in Cathays, a predominantly student area, which had suffered unduly from burglaries. Over a two-year period, the increased presence of police and uniformed security staff, along with minimum security standards installed in the houses, meant that the number of burglaries reduced by 89%.


A frontline role It’s a good example of how collaboration can help keep people safe. Mark Suton, head of security at Aston University in Birmingham, identifies the relationship between students and his own team as crucial to students’ welfare and perception of their own safety. “That visible presence is very important,” he says. Around 30% of the students at the university are from overseas. Suton explains that because international students may be on campus outside of term time, they can be vulnerable to loneliness. “On a campus, people may get upset and lonely, particularly at holiday time. Our team talk to them and make them feel welcome. This year we introduced a specific role, the resident security officer. They are in student residences, 9pm-8am. The


students and visitors know him or her by name and he/she knows them by name, it's the same face.”


International students The vibrant mix of students, academics and other employees from around the world presents its own complexities for the teams working to reduce the risk of crime or injury. Some overseas visitors come from places where the penalties for criminals are so great that there may be virtually no crime. In addition, international students typically bring cash, along with gadgets and designer clothes that can be a target for thieves. In some cities, students from outside the UK might find themselves at the centre of town/gown disputes. Early intervention is key. Davies


explains: “Some students come from countries where you don’t trust the police, so we want to show them that we are here to keep them safe and secure.” Welcome meetings with police can be


scheduled to coincide with pre-sessional courses so that international students get the right messages, straight off.


Technology It’s clear that modern security services have a range of tools at their disposal to help them in their role as the eyes and ears of the university. Peter Brinkley, head of security


Aston University


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