The process of leaving halls behind and moving into a house at university brings on a mixture of feelings. There is nostalgia for the time you had in halls – the fact that you will no longer be living a few doors down from your best friends and losing the luxury of being a few minutes away from classes; there is thankfulness that you never again have to eat hall food (so many potatoes…) or partake in 4am fire drills, and there is the excitement of moving into a house where you can cook for yourself and live without rules or being told off by hall management. In the midst of all of this excitement, people tend to forget that there is also a very serious side to living in a house. Most of you will have moved into a house in Lenton, which is the town sitting next to the main campus here. As much as this is a vibrant student community, Lenton does have a darker underbelly that you need to be aware of, for your own safety and the safety of others.
Living in a House
You may have heard people joke about crime in Nottingham – the rumours that the Savoy cash-point is the most robbed in Britain, or the common jibe “Shottingham” are just a couple of examples. Whilst it may seem fun to joke about this, you do have to be aware that crime does happen, and for a burglar, Lenton is perfect as it houses around 30,000 students a year. The most common crimes towards students are car theft and house burglary. Be aware that these burglars are mainly opportunists – they won’t sit and formulate plans to burgle just your house. If they see a window or door left open, or see you all leaving the house at once, then that is reason enough to go and see what is on offer in your house. In the past year, 25% of all crime in Lenton was composed of car theft (11%), and burglary (13%).
Anti-social behaviour typically happens between locals, who make up a big percentage of Lenton also – there aren’t just students living there. Be sensitive to the fact that many of these locals will have jobs, and children, so when coming back from a night out, or holding pre-drinks at your house, take care of the noise levels – there have been cases of locals getting very angry at this and clashes happening between them and students.
Lenton Triangle
The ‘Lenton Triangle’ is a term that you need to become aware of. It spans the length of Derby Road which is the centre of student life in Lenton, and typically falls onto the left hand side of Derby Road. See the picture below, which outlines the Lenton Triangle. At the very top of Derby Road, the police station, named Canning Circus, has a Lenton Triangle police team, specifically working towards combating and preventing crime in this area. You will be relieved to know that they are a very well trained, dedicated team that are here to help you. It is just as much a concern for you as it is for them that crime be dealt with and prevented in a serious manner. On their web page, they state: “Under the Policing Pledge, this is an urban beat area and has a 15 minute emergency response time”. However, due to Lenton being relatively small and easy to drive around, you can expect them to arrive much quicker than this. The Lenton Triangle policing team helped reduce car crime by 50% as of July 31st 2012, compared to the year before.
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Be Safe: Crime Prevention Matters
Whilst this information about Lenton may raise some of the hairs on your neck, do be assured that we are making you aware for your own safety. With the police combating crime levels year round, you can help to lower these figures by taking the necessary precautions to help ensure a safer Lenton. After speaking to PC Alex Cooney, he offered this guidance: “Most of our advice is based on simple, common sense precautions, and in all honesty that’s the message we want to get across! A majority of burglary’s occur due to an insecurity at the property(doors and windows left open)so they are easily preventable”. Going on PC Cooney’s help, here is some advice to take on board whilst living in Lenton:
Housing
– When leaving your house, ensure that ALL windows and doors are closed and securely locked. Do not leave keys for windows on display. If you have any windows in front of a flat roof, always lock them and hide the key, even if you are just going to a different room.
– ALWAYS set the alarm. If you don’t know the code, call a housemate and ask. It is not worth leaving your house unprotected.
– Leave a light on in one or two of the bedrooms when you go out. It’s only going to be a small notch on your electricity bill, and is better than leaving the house in complete darkness – this gives away that no one is home.
– If you are all going on a night out, make sure that the last person to lock the door shouts into the house “see you later!”. This makes it look like someone is staying behind, and if there happens to be a potential burglar walking past at this time, they will hear this and be put off. It may feel silly to do this, but the police wish more people would.
– NEVER leave valuables on display. It only takes two seconds to smash a window, grab your laptop, and run away. Additionally, mark your valuables either with permanent marker or by etching your initials onto the item.
– If you are by an alleyway, take extra care not to flash valuables near the windows/ door leading to the alleyway. You never know who could be watching.
– When going out, hide your valuable possessions. An example would be to stash your laptop in your laundry basket or under clothes in drawers – burglars don’t spend the time rooting through your stuff, so they will be put off if they don’t see something immediately and will move on.
– Take out insurance. This means that if you should ever experience a burglary, you can claim back what was stolen. Endsleigh is the most popular for students – visit www.endsleigh.co.uk and click on the ‘Students’ tab.
Personal safety
– This applies to girls and guys – buy a rape alarm (prices starting from £2 on Ebay). Then, whenever you walk around after dark, have it in your hand, just in case. If you are approached, squeeze the alarm.
– Don’t walk around flashing your phone or iPod. You may think that walking along at night talking on the phone will make you safer – but you are wrong. Talking on the phone alerts the offender that you are there, and that you have a mobile phone. There is nothing then stopping them from snatching the phone from your hand and running away.
– Keep a hand on your bag at all times, and a firm grip.
– BE AWARE. Always look around you. This is one of the most important things to do.
– Try not to walk alone at night. If you are going to a friend’s house, get them to meet you. Girls especially.
– Plenty of people come home alone in taxis after nights out. This is a bad idea altogether. NEVER get the taxi to drop you at the end of your road, and if you get dropped off outside your house, when unlocking the door remember to have awareness of your surroundings.
What to do if you think you have been burgled, or that someone has been in your house
– The police are there to help. Never be afraid of calling them over any concerns about your or someone else’s safety, and the safety of your house. Unless the occasion is an emergency – ie. Someone has just burgled you or you have just been assaulted – then call the non-emergency number, which is 101, then ask to be put through to the switchboard. The police will still respond fast, and will take the matter just as seriously.
– If you get home and think someone has entered your house, it is up to you how to proceed next. The police advise leaving your property immediately and going to your nearest friend’s house, then calling 999. Do not go looking round the house in case the offender is still inside. It is best not to challenge an intruder but instead call the police straight away.
Don’t be scared – it is important that you feel comfortable
Crime is taken very seriously by the police, and your safety is their number one concern. Remember that this is just advice – it doesn’t mean that you are going to be targeted specifically, or that anything will even happen. Crime is opportunistic in Lenton and no one should ever plan to just target you. If you are concerned that this is the case, inform the police immediately. One more word of advice – don’t spend your time stressing about the probability of something happening. Remember, Lenton is full of students throughout the academic year so it is very easy to feel safe with students walking along the roads at all hours of the day. Just be careful, aware, and sensible.
If you have any questions or queries, or want advice, feel free to visit Canning Circus Police Station (situated at the top of Derby Road), call the Nottinghamshire switchboard on 0115 967 0999, or email the station: canningsnt@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk.
Other info:
– Crimestoppers: an anonymous crime service. Call to report suspicious activity or other worries related to crime or disorder: 0800 555 111
– Twitter: for daily updates, follow @nottspolice
– The official website: for general information. www.nottinghamshire.police.uk
Sources:
www.nottinghamshire.police.uk
www.ukcrimestats.com/Neighbourhood/Nottinghamshire_Police/Lenton_Triangle