Campus Watch aims to cut crime on campus

The University of Southampton and Hampshire Police have joined forces to increase security levels for students and staff on campus.

A new Campus Watch scheme to promote awareness of security issues and encourage the sharing and reporting of information about crime was launched on Monday 14 February at the University's Highfield campus. Speaking to an audience of staff and students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Wakeham and Superintendent Terry Stevens from Southampton police highlighted the importance of a co-ordinated approach to crime prevention.

The University now has a full-time beat officer to help and advise on safety and crime prevention as well as deal with incidents as and when they happen. The new post is funded by Hampshire Police and the first University of Southampton beat officer is PC Steve Mullins, formerly the Constabulary's Higher Education Liaison Officer in Southampton.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Wakeham commented: "Southampton is, in general, a very safe city in which to live and study. However, it is important for our students to be aware of the need for personal security and crime prevention and to know that we are working closely with Hampshire Police to help us keep our campuses safe places to live and work."

At Monday's event, PC Mullins also received the keys to a dedicated car for his use when travelling between the University's fifteen academic and residential sites. The car is sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

PC Steve Mullins said: "I am confident that the Campus Watch initiative will help us continue to keep the University's campuses safe places in which to live and work. We hope that it will encourage increased sharing and reporting of information about crime, which is key to keeping crime levels low."