Student Neighbourhood Watch is a 'first'

A student Neighbourhood Watch scheme covering Leeds' main student residential areas has been launched this week. Leeds University Student Union won funding of more than £70,000 from the Home Office Safer Homes Fund to set up the scheme which is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.

The Leeds Student Union made the bid as part of Leeds Universities & Colleges Crime Reduction Partnership, which includes representatives from the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Trinity University College, Leeds College of Music, students’ unions, West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council and Unipol Student Homes.

A team of 12 student Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators has been created to run the schemes, which cover the main student residential areas in and around the city. They will act as a link between the students and permanent residents of those communities and the police in what is believed to be the first such scheme of its kind in the country.

The coordinators will circulate the latest police information and warnings about crime trends in their areas, and will accompany members of their local neighbourhood policing teams on patrol to highlight local issues and liaise directly with students and other residents. Alongside their crime prevention role they will also promote good citizenship among the student community and be an additional point of contact for residents with any issues involving students.

Read more about this project on the West Yorkshire Police website here