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Redbrick
The University of Birmingham's Student Newspaper since 1936
Campaigning kicks off for Guild Officer Elections
See News page 6 for your guide to the elections and interviews with the two hopefuls for the position of President
Friday 4th March 2011 Volume 75 | Issue 1387 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Brum Dine With Me Meet the contestants and preview their menus Food, Page 13
Academy Awards 2011
Glen Moutrie
Selly Oak burglaries drop 70 per cent Tom Byrne Reporter
There has been a 70 per cent drop in the number of burglaries in student houses around crime hotspot Selly Oak, over the past four years. Student homes and accommodation are typically seen as an easy target for burglars as they are able to swipe multiple laptops, mobile phones, iPods and other valuables from just one residence, safe in the knowledge that the property is likely to be vacant throughout the course of the day. However, thanks to the use of forensic property marking product SelectaDNA, combined with a new scheme undertaken by the Guild of Students, student burgla-
ries in the Selly Oak area have dropped by 70 per cent when compared with the statistics from the previous four years. The scheme run by the Guild of Students included a team of Community Wardens from our University who have joined up with security officials and the West Midlands police in order to target crooks. The initiative involves a doorto-door campaign that highlights the importance of security to students and also the launch of a text service to that sends students relevant crime information. Students are being encouraged to use SelectaDNA to mark their valuable electronic equipment. The SelectaDNA formula is made up of an ultraviolet tracer
and unique DNA code, therefore if a marked item is stolen and later recovered by the police it can be scanned and traced back to its rightful owner. Jonny Kirby, Vice President for Housing and Community, said: 'The Community Wardens are committed to making sure Selly Oak is a better place for all who live there. With the latest figures, it certainly seems that their dedication and tenacity is starting to pay off. The fact that burglaries in the area have dropped by 70 per cent, during a time notorious for break-ins, is a tremendous achievement'. 'The ideas and funds have come from a collaboration between the Guild, the Police, the Council and the Safer Birmingham
Partnership – but we could not have delivered such an attack on crime and enjoy such awesome results without the drive and commitment of our Wardens. They are a credit to themselves and to the Guild, and without them and their work, Selly Oak would be a more dangerous and unpleasant place to live and study'. First year Chemistry student Neil Harris said: 'Initially I was worried about moving into Selly Oak next year, as you hear of people who have been victims of burglary in the area. However, with the measures that both the Guild and West Midlands Police have taken to tackle the issue I am now feeling more assured about living there.'
Highs, lows and everything else you need to know about this year's Oscars Film, Page 16
Hockey victory Women's team make national finals for the second year in a row Sport, Page 28