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3 Feb 2006 16:03:27
Luton’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon, has been speaking to security managers and police officers from around the country about promoting good campus relations and tackling hate crimes and intolerance, in a bid to make universities safer for students.
The University boss was the only Vice Chancellor invited to speak at the one-day national conference on student safety and security, which was organised by Crime Stoppers, the Association of University Chief Security Officers and the Police Association of Higher Education Liaison Officers.
The aim of the event was to urge institutions, with increasing numbers entering university, to do all they can to secure the safety of students and to share good practice in the field to reduce crime against them.
Speaking about the conference, Professor Ebdon said: “I was invited to speak because of my involvement with the recent publication of guidelines by Universities UK (UUK), to promote harmony and tackle intolerance on campus. The guidelines generated a great deal of interest nationally, both in the media and within the education sector.
“Since then I have spoken at a number of events to highlight the importance of promoting respect and tolerance on an on-going basis, so that it becomes part of an institution’s culture. Prevention is always better than cure and even if a situation does arise, it won’t be difficult to deal with because there will be a good understanding of the issues involved.”
The conference included sessions about ensuring the safety of students and staff, working in partnership to tackle crime against them, reducing and preventing victimisation, and safety for international students.
The role of the Student Union and collaboration with the police and the student community, safety for female students, security staff development, landlord accreditation schemes, and use of CCTV were also discussed.
Professor Ebdon added: “It was very interesting to present to those who deal with security issues on a daily basis. I believe the issues raised in my talk will help them to understand the importance of encouraging harmony on campus to make it a safer for students, staff and the wider community.”
The conference, 'Partnerships to Protect: Ensuring Student Safety and Security', was held at the Inmarsat Conference Centre in London on 26 January.
The University of Luton Student Union (ULSU) continually promotes student welfare and safety via awareness campaigns and events, including an annual health fair, and an on-going programme which offers advice and free personal safety alarms to all staff and students.
For further details, contact ULSU on 01582 743275.
Latest news» 2006» Feb» University boss tells police how to promote a happy campus
