Bradford College

Students Launch 'Safe Squad Campaign' with Backing of Police

With the backing of West Yorkshire Police, Bradford College students have launched an innovative new student safety campaign across the campus in a bid to raise awareness of robbery – one of the most common offences in the UK.

According to the European Crime and Safety Survey, commissioned in 2007 by the United Nations, European Commission and Gallup polling organisation, Britain is the most burgled country in Europe and has above average rates of car theft, robbery and pick pocketing.

Bradford College Students’ Union have been proactive in organising student crime prevention drives each year and following the success of last year’s initiative, have come up with the ‘Safe Squad Campaign’. The project is designed to attract the attention of the student population, by making students stop, think and ultimately take steps to protect themselves.

Elaborating further on the anti-crime campaign, Nabeel Hussain, Students’ Union President said: “Dressed as burglars and carrying swag bags, Bradford College students spread the word about safety and security on campus with volunteers talking to students in libraries and refectories to encourage them to keep a close eye on their possessions whilst at College.”

Nabeel added: "We thought an exciting, fresh and vibrant approach would give the project a sense of fun, whilst still communicating a serious crime prevention message."

The campaign, organised in response to student feedback has had the backing of Bradford College Principal, Michele Sutton, OBE. Commenting on the crime prevention drive, Principal Michele Sutton said: “I applaud the students for volunteering to take part in this student led initiative which is helping to raise awareness of crime prevention measures, whilst supporting other students on campus.”

Principal Michele Sutton continued: “This campaign, along with various safety initiatives, ensures that students can be as safe as possible on Bradford College campus, which is of paramount importance to us.”

Education Studies student, María Cano volunteered for the campaign and said: “At first I felt a bit silly being dressed up as a burglar, but it ended up being great fun as lots of students wanted to talk to me about the campaign.”

Mark Hirst, Facilities Manager at the College, added: “The College take student safety and security as a priority. It’s great to see students taking the lead on this in such an imaginative way.”

This is the first volunteering project to be run by the Students’ Union in 2011 with plans in the pipeline to run further campaigns throughout the year.

Students’ Union President, Nabeel Hussain added: “It was great to see students volunteering and supporting their peers. The student volunteers really developed their confidence and skills throughout the campaign and we’re looking forward to giving more students this opportunity during Student Volunteering Week in March.”

Nabeel concluded: “It’s easy to make it hard for thieves, by keeping valuables out of sight and always being aware of what’s going on around you."

The campaign will run alongside various safety initiatives to help keep new and returning students safe, including the ‘Student Safe Spot’ scheme, which has designated places in the Bradford community that students can use if they feel under threat.  Attack alarms and other safety materials are also issued and are available from Bradford College Students’ Union.