Safety First for 'Fresh' Beginnings

It’s ‘Freshers’ week when students, old and new, head to our universities for the start of a new academic year.

For some this will be back to the familiar routine to which they are now well used, but for others it will be the start of something very new and with it the opportunities, challenges and perhaps for some new found freedom. The Police Service have been working closely with universities long before students have arrived. Our priority is to make sure that students are kept, and know how to keep safe and that they can integrate with the local community with the least disruption and inconvenience possible.

Sadly every year a small number of students become involved in criminality and anti social behaviour. The Police Service work closely with the universities and the local community to ensure that these individuals are identified and dealt with swiftly. What to some might seem a ‘moment of fun or madness’ can jeopardise a university place, result in disciplinary action by the university and/or a criminal record and ultimately could prevent future employment. By all means students should have fun and thoroughly enjoy their university experience but they should also act responsibly and think of others.

For those students going out and about at night, I ask you to think about where you are going, who you are going with, and to try when you are out and about to stay together. Tell someone when you are expected back and keep your mobile phone with you at all times, but keep it and any bags, purses or wallets concealed out of sight.

The influx of students to residential accommodation, on and off site, is also an opportunity for others. Criminals know that student accommodation will be filled with an array of televisions, laptops, ipods and other items which can be easily concealed and sold on. Accommodation is regularly unoccupied and therefore easily accessed. If you are concerned about the security of your property speak to your landlord about locks and alarms and make sure when you go out that you secure the property, look after your keys and don’t leave items of value in clear view of the street.

University is a fantastic opportunity and I encourage you to enjoy it. Please listen carefully to the experience of others and to the advice you are given. The last thing we want is for you to have to remember university for all the wrong reasons.

By working together and following some simple advice we can keep you safe.

Click here for Personal Safety advice:- http://www.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention/personal/personal-safety.htm