Information on Loughborough

Keep safe advice for students in Loughborough

Posted on 13/10/2008

Students from Loughborough University, who live off campus, will be receiving advice on how to keep safe and how to build positive relationships with local residents. 

The two day event is being organised by the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, which includes the police, on the 13th and 14th October 2008.  It forms part of a national Home Office campaign called ‘Not in my Neighbourhood Week', which aims to increase awareness of what the police and local agencies are doing to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and make communities safer.

Representatives from the many different organisations which make up the partnership, such as the police, Charnwood Borough Council and the Fire Service, will be based in areas with a high student population to give out advice on how students can secure their residences their bikes and they'll be giving students Selecta Mark DNA kits to forensically mark their property.  Staff will also be available to talk about recycling, parking and the SSHH campaign which encourages students to be considerate to other residents when returning home at night.

The Partnership has produced a ‘Top 10 Tips' leaflet for students, many of whom are living off campus for the first time, about how to live responsibly in the local community. The leaflet also advises students on issues of Council tax, parking permits and rubbish collections.

Inspector Tim McCabe, Commander of Loughborough local policing unit, said; "We are pleased to be working with our partners to encourage students to be good neighbours and have consideration for other residents living in and around the town.  We know that students can be victims of crime, particularly burglary, and that the majority of these crimes can be easily avoided if doors and windows are locked, bikes secured and property post coded, so this initiative is designed to get as much crime prevention information out to students who live off campus as we can."

Cllr. David Snartt, Chair of the Partnership said: "It is so important that we acknowledge the issues faced by both residents and students at the beginning of the academic year. It is a vulnerable time for students arriving in Loughborough, therefore by engaging and providing information on crime prevention and personal safety measures we aim to reassure them that we care for their wellbeing within their new environment. It is also important that they recognize their impact on the wider community and we are pleased that both the University and Students Union are working hard to encourage acceptable behaviour."

A spokesperson for Loughborough Students Union said: "The safety of Loughborough Students living in the community is one of our main priorities. We are working with local residents, the university and Charnwood Borough Council to develop new initiatives such as this which ensure a cohesive approach to student welfare in the community. Our campaigns, such as the ‘SSHH' campaign and ‘Night bus,' are specifically aimed at these students. We support the council's efforts to highlight the importance of student safety and advice for community students."

Information will be provided by Community Safety Team in the Community Safety Trailer on:

  • Monday 13 October between 9.00am to 4.00pm at St. Peters Community Centre on Storer Road, Loughborough
  • Tuesday 14 October between 9.00am to 4.00pm at Sharpley Road, Loughborough near the shops.

Updated on 13/10/08 at 11:00