Police out in force to keep students on a safe course

Greater Manchester Police has launched a major operation that will see more than 50 officers a day, alongside Manchester City Council and university staff carry out a number of tactics to tackle student-related crime.

Statistics show that 1 in 10 students will become a victim of crime while studying in Manchester, so this operation aims to ensure the 70,000 students descending on universities across the city have a safe and enjoyable experience.

"Greater Manchester is a fantastic place for people to study and we want to welcome new and returning students. However, many students become so busy enjoying their new lives that they forget personal safety issues.

"We understand that crime prevention will not be one of their top priorities, but unfortunately some criminals do see students as easy targets. In particular, over the last three years, 16 per cent of burglaries within the city of Manchester involved students" said Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson heading up the operation.

"We will be doing everything in our power to prevent students becoming victims of crime by working with the universities to provide students with advice on keeping themselves and their property safe and ensuring those responsible are caught and brought to justice."

Over the coming months Operation Safe Return will see GMP working alongside Manchester City Council and staff at each university carrying out high-profile patrols on foot, bicycles and in vehicles, targeting the main hotspot areas.

Video cameras will be used to gather intelligence and known offenders of student crime will be targeted. PCSOs will be visiting the homes of students who live in vulnerable areas to carry out crime prevention surveys and provide advice.

Officers will also deliver face-to-face talks to welcome new students to the city and urge them to become more security savvy. While other students will be shown a DVD, including information about how to keep themselves and their property safe.

Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson continues: "There are some really simple steps that students can take to protect themselves becoming a victim of crime. Our advice is that while out and about, you should keep to well-lit areas, stay in groups and keep valuables such as phones and MP3 players out of sight.

"At your student accommodation, make sure that doors and windows are locked - even when you are in and remember to set the alarm. If you're going out at night, leave a light on to give the impression someone is home."

Cllr Jim Battle, Manchester City Council's Deputy Leader, said: "Manchester is a great city for students, and we want to send out a clear message that by sticking to a few simple steps, they can make sure they remain safe during their time here."

Posters advising students on how to stop themselves falling victim to robbery and burglary will be displayed around the university campus' and in the residential areas. Crime prevention messages will also be displayed on lamppost banners down the Oxford Road corridor.

Students are also encouraged to register their valuables on www.immobilise.com It's a quick, easy and free way of logging the details of your property on a national database that police can access and compare against items that have been found or recovered from suspected criminals.

For more advice on keeping safe, students can log on to: www.manchester.gov.uk/StudentSafety