Door-Knocking Campaign Aims to Deliver Safety Message

STUDENTS will join a safety squad for the first time to talk to their peers to promote community spirit among new and returning students in Loughborough.

Volunteers from Loughborough College and Loughborough University will join Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire Police and Loughborough University on a two-week door-knocking exercise to target up to 8,000 students in properties around Loughborough’s ‘Golden Triangle’ and Kingfisher areas.

The safety squad is part of the multi-agency Operation Umbel which aims to advise Loughborough’s returning residents about crime prevention, being neighbourly and recycling.

The safety squads will visit student properties between 12-2pm and 3-5pm for the two-week campaign from Monday, October 1. An ad-van will also tour student areas during the first weeks of term to promote Leicestershire Police’s Lock It or Lose It crime prevention campaign.

Councillor David Snartt, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet lead member for community safety, said: “Our annual door-knocking campaign has really helped us talk to students in the past and we think it will be even more effective if those messages come from their peers.

“We have also worked closely with residents’ groups to make sure their voice was heard in helping advise students how to be good neighbours.

“This year’s door-knocking campaign will see our officers visit each house personally to meet students on a one-to-one basis, give advice and answer questions about staying safe, enjoying themselves responsibly and being good neighbours.

“It is also a reassuring, high visibility presence which is designed to help students feel at ease in their new homes.”

Inspector Johnny Monks, Commander of Loughborough Local Policing Unit, said: “The door knocking is a really important part of our student crime prevention and community reassurance campaign. 

“It gives us a chance to talk to students, many of whom are living in town for the first time, about a wide range of issues including crime prevention, being good neighbours and not disturbing other people who live in the town.”

Caroline Walker, Chief Operating Officer at Loughborough University, said: “The door knocking is a vital part of the work we do at the start of term to pass important messages to students, many of whom may be living off campus for the first time. 

“In just a few minutes we can highlight key information that will help students ensure that they can protect themselves and their property and be good neighbours.”

As part of the door-knocking sweep, student residents will be given:

•           handbooks produced by the Students’ Union,

•           tips on being safe and crime prevention

•           personal property marking and registration

•           tips on being good neighbours

•           warnings about alcohol-free zones

•           tips on parking

•           tips on recycling and waste management