CampusWatch – the university’s own version of the HomeWatch schemes in operation across Britain – will see 100 people working together in an attempt to lower crime rates at the Greater Manchester site.
The “CampusWatchers” have already received free crime observation training from Greater Manchester Police and the British Transport Police.
Inspector Steve Bailey, whose team covers the campus area, said he was giving the initiative his full support.
“CampusWatch will help us take another step forward in making the University community an even safer place to work, live and study.”
The university’s CampusWatch co-ordinator, Chris Rice, said the initiative is about bringing staff, students and local services together to deliver a safe and secure campus.
“Salford University has a relatively low crime rate within its population of 22,000. As with all communities though, some small risks do exist and CampusWatch is here to bring even greater strength to campus security.”
From the start of term this month, each of the university’s 40 buildings will have at least one senior CampusWatcher who will share information with a small team. CampusWatchers will be expected to inform the university’s official security team if they see any crime or suspicious behaviour on campus.
President of the university’s students’ union, Andrew Snowden, was delighted to endorse the scheme.
“CampusWatch will play a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing of both Salford staff and students,” he said.
