Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Good Practice

ESTABLISHING A STUDENT CRIME AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

HULL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AGAINST CRIME (HUSAC)

WHAT IS HUSAC?

  • HUSAC is an active group comprising students, representatives from the Student Union, Hull University and the police to address issues for crime prevention.

  • It was established in 1995 by Student Union Council as a select committee and has Union standing orders governing its activities. This is due to the financial implications within HUSAC, so accountability to the student body is vital.

  • Its primary role is student crime prevention.

WHO IS HUSAC?

  • Comprises one of each of the six Union Welfare Services: the Womens’ Committee, Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay & Transgender Committee, Nightline, Advice Centre, International Officer and Cultural Diversity Officer.

  • Chair: Elected student officer from the student body. Vice President Welfare Support is deputy chair.

  • Other student HUSAC positions: elected members ratified at Union Council.

  • Representatives from the Local Policing Teams & University Liaison Officer.

  • University Representatives - Accommodation office, Security, Hall Wardens etc.

WHY IT STARTED?

The Union recognised a need for proactive crime prevention awareness on campus.

  • At the beginning, the main crimes affecting students were cycle crime and burglary - this then developed into dealing with all aspects of student safety, on and off campus, overall security and raising awareness.

  • Need for victim support - informal link between police and Union/ University

  • Ownership - An organisation run by students, for students and led by students.

HOW IT WORKS

On Going Activities

  • Led by Chair and HUSAC volunteers

  • Runs through the Vice President Welfare Support office

  • Community committees, Union committees: Increasing liaison between university, Students’ Union and the Local Community;  for example by sitting on local ward forums problems are tackled at a community level rather than just within the student body

  • Campaigns & schemes: These include the various schemes listed below but major campaigns include bi-yearly Crime Prevention days that are very visual and proactive, covering the main university campus and the various Halls of Residences

  • Gating Scheme: This is a scheme in partnership with the City Council and Hull City Safe. CCTV is being installed in the main student housing areas adjacent to the campus; blocking off alleys and back roads that allow opportunities for crime to be committed

  • Ad Hoc Campaigns: when a particular crime problem is a major cause for concern

  • Drop -ins: run by the police every Monday morning in the Students Union, providing free information and advice on crime prevention issues. Also used by the police to catch up with students who have reported or been victims of crime.

  • Promotion: of good crime prevention practices

  • Volunteer recruitment

  • Funding

HUSAC Schemes

Bike Watch Initiative-estab.2000

Personal Safety Alarms

  • Funding from Northern area committee and local council

  • 100 D - locks purchased for students who pay a deposit and can either return them at end of year to get their deposit back, or keep them. Very popular scheme, particularly with international students.

  • Cycle Marking with Postcode

  • Union provided initial funding

  • Now self-funding and non-profit - allows HUSAC to purchase more alarms

  • Partnership- vulnerable people

  • Cost - £2 small/ £5 large

  • Information provided on how to use them.

Student House Poster Laminate

Crime Prevention Packs

  • Funded through local police & local trust

  • Printed by local police

  • Installed by accommodation office

  • HUSAC and student-led

  • No cost to Union

  • 3000 packs hand-delivered to all new students containing:

  • HUSAC information

  • Home Office & local Neighbourhood Watch Info

  • Sponsored UV pens

  • Inexpensive but time consuming

PROMOTION AND VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

HUSAC has publicity at Freshers'/ Welcome weeks, including:

  • Stall at volunteering/ societies fairs

  • Freebies (home, office etc)

  • Sale of bike locks & alarms

  • Welcome Guides - section in Student Union Welcome Guide & University Guide

  • Access to help leaflet

  • Talks for all new students with local Police Liaison Officer at welcome sessions

  • Asses the audience - international/ domestic students - and tailor the message as appropriate

Remember - Make it fun!

CRIME PREVENTION DAYS

Student Union

 Promotion with posters, displays, volunteers, t-shirts, information, alarms and bike locks. Student media coverage etc

Local Police

Horses, dogs, police car, scenes of crime, crime bus, phone & bike marking, & displays. Competition prizes.

University

Good promotion, funding, photographer, recognition at university committees etc.

Competition

Promotion through Union media, local media, prizes donated through local organisations. E.g. - HUSAC bike & computer competition

VOLUNTEERS

  • Recruit at all events - use student and local media

  • Offer freebies - trips round police stations etc

  • Target relevant courses such as Law, Criminology, Social Policy, Sociology and Social Work- practical work placements can be provided in police/ probation/ prison service.

  • Promote recognition 

  • Looks good on CV!

FUNDING

  • Union Budget - under Vice-President Welfare Support Budget Head

  • Other external organisations - networking is essential

  • Overall inexpensive but enthusiasm required

SUMMARY

  1. Ideal vehicle in the partnership approach to crime prevention

  2. Has to be student led with key university and police support

  3. Ideal opportunity for internal and external recognition

  4. Has been a positive impact on the overall student experience

  5. Be active, be seen, be enthusiastic!

For further information on HUSAC and setting up a similar scheme within your university, contact:

Martyn Clark, Vice-President, Welfare Support, University of Hull.

Last update: Last update: 28/11/03

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