Issue 146

Lock up or lose out

09th October 2006

A recent spate of burglaries have affected students in the Uplands area. Police informed The Waterfront that among other things 13 laptop computers, 5 mobile phones and 4 bank cards were stolen. The burglaries were most likely to have happened between Friday and Sunday leading to speculation that careless security measures were taken by students, whilst partying over the weekend.

Stuart Rice, from the Student's Union, claimed that some of the attempts had been "audacious" claming that, in one attempt, a student's front door was forced in the middle of the afternoon.

An e-mail by the Uplands Police press officer stated:- "People need to realise that they cannot leave their homes open, even if just working in the back garden, out washing the car or upstairs having a lie down. We have seen a good reduction in burglary last year. However, these latest crimes show that there is no room for complacency if we want to keep it down further. Being burgled is a stressful and intrusive experience that can take a long time to get over, emotionally and financially. Please, follow our advice - lock your windows and doors." So if any students are thinking of having a lie down or working in the back garden this weekend, remember to secure all your windows and doors. The same applies for getting drunk and going surfing.

The spate of burglaries and the usual influx of new students to the university and the city led to the campus police officer, PC Peter Edwards approaching Waterfront with safety advice for students. Other than just having good common sense here were some points of advice:-
- Avoid, if possible, walking through the park at night alone. Last year, there were frequent reports of attacks at night in Singleton Park. If a situation does occur reasonable force is acceptable in self-defence. If you are not a violent person call out "FIRE" rather than "HELP" as this will attract more attention.
- Make sure to keep friends and housemates well informed of your whereabouts and plans.
- Space out valuables on your person rather than keeping them in one area.
- Females are encouraged to pick up their free panic alarm for the woman's officer, Emma Bartlett.
- Students working at night on campus should let the porters know of their presence.
- Stay within well-lit and busy areas.
- If anyone sees any suspicious activity please contact the Campus police on 01792 515882 or go to their office on the ground floor of Cefn Bryn. You can also contact them by e-mail: police@swansea.ac.uk.

Pete Swan