Security stepped up at University of Surrey following burglaries

SECURITY has been stepped up at University of Surrey following recent thefts on campus.

It comes as a burglar was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court for stealing from students who had just moved into student accommodation.

Robert Vince, 21, of Southway, Guildford, was jailed for eight months in prison following the break-in at student accommodation in Battersea Court just after 9pm last Wednesday (3 October).

He was charged and remanded to court the following day, where he pleaded guilty to the burglary, which included the theft of a laptop, a mobile phone and a digital camera.

A second man, aged 18 years and from Guildford, was arrested with Vince on suspicion of burglary. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries, to return to Guildford police station on 6 November.

The thefts have led to a security gate being installed around the campus and CCTV is in operation, a Surrey University spokesman said.

Police have stepped up patrols and deployed a specialist officer at the campus to raise awareness of the thefts among students.

Guildford Neighbourhood Commander Chief Inspector Matt Goodridge said: "We have had an ongoing problem with burglaries on the university campus which typically peaks at the beginning of the academic year when the new students arrive.

"We have put a number of measures in place to tackle the issue, and have a dedicated Higher Education Liaison Officer, Emily Band, who is based at the university. 

"One of her roles is to work with students to raise their awareness of the need to take security measures when they leave their rooms unattended with expensive items, such as laptops and mobile phones, in open view."

A Surrey University spokesman said: "We take the safety and welfare of our students on campus as our first priority.

"Unfortunately, we are as vulnerable as every other resident in Guildford to crime but we have a close working relationship with the police and security patrol the campus 24 hours a day and CCTV is in operation.

"We encourage the use of a property marking scheme and run events around crime prevention all year round.

"We have recently installed a security fence along our perimeter with day time access through gates which are secured at night and will continue to do all we can to ensure safety on campus."