Police officers, PCSOs and Swansea University student volunteers handing out crime prevention advice
POLICE are urging students to ensure their houses and flats are secure to help keep burglars out.
With thousands of students newly arrived in Swansea for the start of the university year, officers are warning them that their accommodation is often a tempting target for thieves thanks to the presence of high-value laptops and other electronic items and rooms often left empty during the day.
Police are calling on students to take simple steps to keep their houses secure, and as part of the crime prevention drive officer's from South Wales Police's university liaison team and student volunteers are visiting student homes and campuses to spread the word.
The city's university student population now tops 30,000, with Swansea University with campuses at Singleton and Crymlyn Burrows in Neath Port Talbot, and University of Wales Trinity St David having buildings throughout the city centre and plans in the pipeline for a major new development in SA1.
Constable Andy Phillips, who leads the liaison team, said: "Swansea is rated as one of the top places to study in the UK and part of our role is to make sure students have a great experience in the city but also stay safe.
"For most students it is the first time they have lived away from home which can sometimes leave them vulnerable to becoming a victim of opportunist theft or burglary.
"By highlighting the importance of 'insecure properties' we will be highlighting ways in which they can keep themselves and their belongings safe."
The police are calling on students to play their part in beating the burglars by taking simple steps such as ensuring doors and windows are closed and locked when they leave their accommodation — whether they are going to lectures or heading for the pub — keeping valuable items out of sight, and not attaching names or addresses to house or room keys.
PC Phillips added: "In addition to providing advice of how best to stay safe and secure, we will also be providing a visible presence around the universities so we become known among the students — and will always be accessible and approachable should anyone need any advice."
Launched earlier this year, the police university liaison team — PC Phillips along with PCSOs Clive Dainton and Kate Hopkins — works closely with the city's universities and their students on a range of personal safety issues.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/police-warn-that-student-flats-are-tempting-target-for-burglars/story-29802518-detail/story.html#GVR4iFSfp2imxoq2.99
No comments:
Post a Comment