Information on Loughborough

Student crime prevention campaign launches in Loughborough

Posted on 22/09/2009

arrest,villain,police,constabulary Student crime prevention campaign launches in Loughborough PC Mike Green and Rob Hulme, Student Union President, with the C.A.T.S eye signs

PC Mike Green and Rob Hulme, Student Union President, with the C.A.T.S eye signs

A comprehensive crime prevention and community reassurance campaign has been put together by the police, Loughborough University and Charnwood Borough Council to coincide with the students arriving in town. 

‘Operation Umbel’ is a multi-agency operation which has two elements to it – deterrent and prevention - and will run in four phases across the academic calendar.  

For the first time this year the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership has bought a number of Covert Asset Tracking Systems, otherwise known as C.A.T.S.eye.  These small devices can be hidden inside electrical equipment, bicycles and cars.  The unit uses GPS technology and can be tracked electronically by the police who can then recover the stolen property and make arrests.  Street signs will be put up in the areas where the C.A.T.S.eyes are deployed and students and residents will be given a sticker to display in their windows to act as a deterrent to burglars. 

The Local Policing Unit Commander, Inspector Tim McCabe, will be writing to the prolific and priority offenders who live in Loughborough warning them that, if they steal, they run a high risk of being caught.  Inspector McCabe said; “This covert side of the operation has not been done before and we hope the tracking devices will act as a deterrent to criminals who target student properties.” 

Also new this year is the Beat Officer, PC Mike Green, who has set up a Face Book account called PC Mike Lboro Uni.  He’ll be posting crime prevention advice on his Face Book pages and offering help and support to new and returning students.  Bluetooth boxes will also be used both on and off campus sending crime prevention text messages to mobile phones. 

During Freshers Week, which starts on Tuesday 22 September, PC Green and security staff from the University will be visiting all students living in Halls of Residence to give a presentation about crime prevention and personal safety.  

Crime prevention packs will be given to students at various events during the first weeks of term, including the Freshers and Community Bazaar, which contain window shock alarms and UV pens. 

Extra officers will be patrolling during the day and in the evenings targeting areas that are popular with students.  They’ll be talking to and engaging with students to offer help and reassurance during their first few days of term. 

A new colourful and eye catching poster and leaflet campaign is being launched.  Designed with a tongue in cheek message which says ‘Are you Easy?’ the posters offer crime prevention advice to stop students being an easy target for criminals. 

PC Mike Green said; “There is more going on this year than ever before and a significant amount of work is being done by the police, the council and the University to make sure students have a safe and happy time while studying in Loughborough.  We are using modern technology to communicate with students who are big users of mobile phones and the internet in order to get our crime prevention advice across and we are working closely with the Students Union executive members who fully support our campaign.  

“Loughborough is a safe place to study but we know that when young people live away from home they don’t make crime prevention a priority, particularly in shared accommodation, so we hope Operation Umble and all the work we are doing both on and off campus will reduce crime and ensure that students and local residents live happily side by side.” 

University security staff and the police have already been giving crime prevention and personal safety briefings to International students who arrive much earlier in the year.

Roger Kennedy, Head of Security at Loughborough University said; “The University is fully behind this joint approach to crime prevention.  By working closely together, and utilising modern technology effectively, we hope it will have impact and benefit the students and the community, both at the start of term and throughout the academic year.” 

Cllr David Snartt Chairman of Charnwood Community Safety Partnership stated that “I’d like to welcome both the new and returning students to Loughborough and hope they will have an enjoyable and safe experience during their time in the town by taking a few simple steps to protect themselves.” 

Rob Hulme, President of Loughborough Students Unions, Said; “Student safety is a huge issue which the Students’ Union address year on year. We are delighted to be working with the police and the council, who are very pro-active in helping students. We are very grateful for all the time and effort that has been put into student welfare campaigns and fully support the police and wish them every success."