If you’re looking at student accommodation for yourself or your teenager, security should be at the forefront of your mind. Students have laptops, tablets and perhaps other desirable electronics, making student accommodation a magnet for thieves. With over 183,000 students in the West Midlands across several universities, that’s a lot of potential victims.
The level of security varies a lot with the different types of property. University-run halls of residence on campus may have an in-built level of security that comes with community – people get to know those that they live with. CCTV is also a feature of campus life, so would-be burglars would have to be both disguised, and inconspicuous, to enact a burglary of student halls on campus.
Burglaries at halls can happen, however, so we recommend that students living on-campus don’t get complacent about personal security. For many it will be their first time living away from home for an extended period. While 18-year-olds may think they are mature, they don’t have the life experience that informs a sensible attitude to security;
Sensible precautions such as ensuring bags are zipped up when out and about, and that laptops shouldn’t be left unattended in libraries, cafes and elsewhere. Sometimes, the lesson has to be learned the hard way, and when it is, being insured is a great idea to cover the cost of the replacement.
Off-site halls and student houses will have different levels of security. Some of the more expensive private halls have security staff on site 24 hours a day and keyless entry via codes or RFID fobs, which can restrict entry effectively and keep unwanted visitors out. Others may have all the CCTV you would expect, but no actual physical presence.
The real danger with large scale communal living of this type is that when the evening socialising starts, responsibilities and inhibitions go out of the window and people may be invited in who are out to steal from others. It is vital, therefore, that students keep their private rooms locked when there are social events going on, as you can never tell whether the guests other people invite are trustworthy.
Living in a student house removes many of these issues, but a student house won’t have the CCTV, staff, or access control entry systems that provide a level of security. In these cases, a wireless burglar alarm system could be fitted (with the landlords’ permission) and the cohabiters would need to agree on a protocol for using the alarm, and for assigning responsibilities when locking up and leaving the house.
Student houses usually have a lock on each bedroom door, which adds a layer of personal security that doesn’t rely solely on the housemates. It is still important to close windows and doors when leaving the property and to security mark laptops and other valuables. These should be insured along with other possessions – it is advisable to shop around for a quote and also take a look at the burglary statistics for the area the house is in.
P&R Alarms can provide wireless intruder alarms and CCTV for student houses and our blog is a valuable source of information and analysis about the rates and trends for the types of crime we help protect against. University ought to be an experience you remember for the right reasons, so work with us to make that the reality.