Putting student safety first

Police share student safety tips as tertiary institutions prepare to welcome new and returning students.

Now that the matric results have been released and universities and colleges are gearing up to assist potential and prospective students. The communities around these institutions of higher learning will also be getting ready to welcome these students, unfortunately, so will criminals who are waiting on the opportunity to take advantage of them.
This is according to Brixton Police Station spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff who stated it is that time of the year where criminals take chances to rob and scam our students on and off-campus. “Most of the time crimes that are reported by students is where students are robbed of their cell phones, laptops, tablets and other personal items. In other cases they are scammed to pay money for student accommodation only to realise the accommodation in discussion does not exist or they have no relation or connection to the property.”

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The station has warned students, especially new ones, to be vigilant at all times and to be wary of what they are being offered. The station has already partnered with the University of Johannesburg to improve the safety and security of students. As part of the partnership, crime awareness campaigns will be held on and off-campus throughout the year and will include safety tips, emergency numbers and information on safe routes to and from campus.

Backhoff added, “Students are requested to make sure they lock their valuables at all times when not in use, if it is in use don’t leave it out of your sight. Most theft cases reported is due to students’ own negligence. We also want to advise our students to stay in accredited student accommodation where there are proper safety precautions and where security guards are placed.

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Brixton Police Station are committed to ensuring the safety of our students and we wish them all of the best for this year.”

The police also shared the following student safety tips:

• Be careful and wary of offers being made online and on social media.
• Before transferring money for accommodation to a landlord make sure the residence actually exists and speak to other residents about their stay there.
• Always walk in groups, there is safety in numbers
• Don’t display your valuables, rather put it in a backpack or leave it at home
• Don’t walk with earphones or a cell phone in your hand in the street, you make yourself an easy target
• Do not sit in a vehicle in front of a house or in the street. Rather go into the house and only exit when you are ready to leave
• Remember to activate any alarm system, close windows and lock all doors and gates prior to leaving the house
• If you use ride-hailing apps make sure you get into the correct vehicle by verifying the registration number and name of the driver
• If you will be returning home late make sure you inform a friend or family member about your whereabouts
• Have a list of accessible emergency number on your phone.

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