University safest in East of England

22 July 2013

Today it has been revealed that the University of Hertfordshire has the lowest crime rates on and around its campus, according to the authoritative and independent Complete University Guide.

Leading

The ranking, compiled from official police data, gives the clearest picture possible of the crime rates for almost 120 universities in England and Wales. In the East of England, Hertfordshire edges ahead of Cambridge with the University Bedfordshire having the highest rate within three miles of its campus. The University of Essex has the highest incidence of violent crime in the region, while Hertfordshire has the lowest.
 

Ensuring safety

Ross Renton, Dean of Students at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “We welcome the result of the Complete University Guide report. The University is proud of the highly productive partnership we have with the Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership. We work closely with the University policing team to ensure our community is safe and welcoming for students, staff and visitors.”
 

Statistics

It is estimated that one-third of students become victims of crime, mainly theft and burglary, and about 20 per cent of student robberies occur in the first six weeks of the academic year.
 
The data, from May 2012 to April 2013, correlate crime and population for wards falling within three miles of the main campus, for burglary, robbery and assault, normalised for population density.

 

Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Welwyn Hatfield, Ian Grout, said: “I am delighted that this year’s figures show that the University remains one of the safest in the country. The dedicated University policing team, consisting of a PC and two PCSOS, work incredibly hard with the University to ensure all students are able to live and study in a safe environment and these figures are a testament to their dedication and the close working relationship.

With the new term approaching, work has already begun to ensure the next intake of new students are able to settle in to university life safely, armed with essential crime prevention advice.”