March 10, 2014, by offcampus

Crime Prevention Tips from the Divisional Commander

We’re pleased to welcome Chief Superintendent Steve Cooper to the blog today. As Divisional Commander for the City of Nottingham’s Police, he shares some student-focussed advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Nottingham is a great city for people to live and study in. As the Divisional Commander for policing in the city of Nottingham, I am responsible for ensuring that all those who live, work and visit the city feel safe and confident and remain safe.

The city has a residential population of just over 300,000 people, whilst the student population is a fraction over 60,000. You are rightly and proudly a big part of our community in Nottingham. Some of the city’s neighbourhoods have significantly more student residents than permanent ones and you play a significant role within the community, so it is no wonder that I ask you to ensure you help do your bit in keeping the city safe and ensuring everyone enjoys where they live.

Every area of Nottingham has a dedicated Neighbourhood Beat Team, who are there for all local residents and visitors and deal with local crime and antisocial behaviour.  You can find your local Beat Team by visiting http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk

You will also see the Neighbourhood Policing Teams on campus and in student areas: they are on hand to ensure you know how to protect yourselves and your property. Do stop and talk to them; they will be able to provide you with crime prevention advice and you can share any concerns you may have. They may occasionally knock on your door to ensure your premises remain secure.

 

You can visit the Student Survival Guide which gives you detailed advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime – but here are some of my top tips to keep safe and secure during your time in Nottingham:

Property:

• Register all of your valuable property (laptops, tablets, smart phones, mp3s) for free using www.immobilise.com

• Download a tracking app such as Find My iPhone, where’s my Droid? Blackberry Protect or PREY for your smartphone

• Keep your doors and windows locked – one in three burglaries happen because a door or window has been left open or unlocked

• Get to know your neighbours. Keep the outside of your property looking clean and tidy

• If you are coming home late or planning a party, keep the noise to a minimum, and where possible, let people know in advance

Out and About:

• Keep your drink with you at all times. Did you know that the city centre is an Alcohol Exclusion Zone? If you’re out on the street with an open bottle or can, it will be confiscated 

• After a night out, return home as safely and quietly as possible and use a taxi you can trust

By working together to keep you safe and respecting our city, we can all enjoy it together.

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