Reducing Crime against Students
Conference Report
In July 2003 over 250 delegates attended two Home Office conferences at Hull and Reading Universities to discuss how to reduce crime against students. The conferences brought together representatives from universities, student unions, the police and local authorities to discuss student victimisation and to share good practice.
The programme included keynote speeches from the Association of Chief Police Officers, the National Union of Students and (in Reading) one of the Home Office Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Leigh Lewis. Workshops covered particular aspects of student victimisation, including: burglary street crime, safety on transport, starting a student crime awareness campaign, international students, landlord accreditation and drug assisted rape.
Some of the main points raised at these events:
High level meetings (between the BCU commander and Vice Chancellor for example) can help to ensure all sides understand the importance of tackling the problem and the part that they can play. |
While action must be taken to reduce and keep crime down in the medium to longer term, some immediate impact is needed and with many areas reporting peaks in the first few weeks of term, action should be planned for the start of the new academic year. |
The involvement of student unions in any crime awareness campaign is vital if the messages are to have any credibility with students. |
Reducing student victimisation is not the responsibility of any one agency but depends on collaboration from the university, student union, the police and any other relevant organisation. |
One of the most encouraging aspects of the conferences was how keen all sides were to work together. The feedback was extremely positive, with delegates valuing the opportunity to share problems and ideas with colleagues from other organisations. Delegates have been contacted to check on progress made in promoting student safety.
Last update: Last update: 27/10/03