Police hope inflatable message will get Canterbury students locking up
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PCSOs Jodie Bryan and
Gary Painter with Samantha Kennedy (left) of Kent Union's
society and citizenship committee and union president, Helen
Wood.
by Gerry Warren
Students who leave their doors and
windows open are inviting thieves to take advantage of the
opportunity, say police.
But now they have come up with a
novel crime-fighting initiative to remind them to keep them
locked.
Because volunteers from the
University of Kent’s student union will be looking out for lapses
in security in accommodation on the campus and posting a calling
card in the shape of an inflated balloon bearing the word 'lock’ in
large letters.
The inscription will also direct
students to a website where they can pick up more security
tips.
PCSO Jodie Bryan, who works at the
university as part of her Rural West ward, and Gary Painter, who is
the PCSO in St Stephen’s ward, got the scheme off the ground.
Jodie said: “We have been working
with the students’ union to try and come up with different ways of
encouraging them to shut windows and lock their doors and communal
doors. We wanted to catch their attention and thought a leaflet
would probably just end up in the bin.”
The balloons have been paid for by
the Safer Canterbury District Partnership and will be targeted at
first year students living away from home for the first time. It is
hoped they will then develop good habits before going out to live
in private rented accommodation in the Canterbury area.
Union president Helen Wood
explained: “This is a safe campus but as summer approaches we want
to get the message across about doing that extra bit and not making
it easy for burglars.
“I am sure that a balloon will make
them look and see where it has come from and, we hope, log on the
website to get more information.”
Monday, March 08 2010
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