Solent
YOU ME AT SIX
Splash DISCOUNT IT! Friday October 28, 2011
Southampton’s community newspaper
Guildhall gig reviewed: Page 7
Shih Tzu gives raiders a taste of ruff justice
By JOSH SHENTON A miniature dog has saved its owners from burglars who broke into 5 homes throughout a one-night crime spree. Hundreds of pounds worth of goods were stolen from homes in the Harefield area by a group of serial burglars. Luckily the Hunt family was woken by the barks of their tiny Shih Tzu. Worried schoolgirl Emily Hunt recalled what happened: “The dog barks woke us up and there were noises coming from downstairs.” Her parents went down stairs to realize that burglars had fled. Now Emily says: “We just don’t feel safe anymore, nobody knows when the burglars might come back.” She is thankful though that the burglars didn’t get away with anything of value. This crime that took place on the 8th of October following a string of burglaries which have taken place since Wednesday the 28th of September. The crimes were throughout the Harefield area, which is located just outside Southampton city center leaving families devastated and scared for their safety. When questioned, the police admitted that there has been a spree of burglaries in the area, however they wouldn’t divulge any further information. With locals being given little information by police, they have been left scared and have expressed concerns; that there are not big enough deterrents for criminals and local authorities are taking too little action. Neighborhood meetings have been mentioned, but nothing has yet been confirmed. This night of crime is not surprising for locals as the Harefield burglary rate has nearly doubled in the last 12 months, and have given it the 3rd highest burglary rate out of 47 local areas. Local Dan Upton said:“We are so pleased nobody has been hurt, but it’s still fringing that someone could.”
SOLENT’S BIG SCRUM-DOWN
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GUTTED freshers have blasted the AAA wristband, saying the events pass is too expensive and the clubs it gave them access to often failed to meet their expectations. The passes, which cost £54 including postage and packaging, are sold by Dirty Box Promotions at fatsoma.com and have been popular in the previous years. However, last year they sold at £20. In 2008 the passes sold out in two weeks - a trend that continues as freshers know about them before they start their studies at university or even move into halls. Becky Tyler, a first year studying travel and tourism, said: “I’m happy I bought the pass because I didn’t have to worry about paying up front. I could also socialise and make new
By EMMA BELL friends, but it was too expensive for what it was.” This view was echoed by other first years such as Nik Syrimis, a big partygoer known as Wolfman who is studying sound engineering. He said: “I would have liked to have paid £30 for the pass instead of £54.” On overall impressions, he said: “All the events at Oceana were appalling, especially the foam party.” Bedford Place is well-known for its strip of clubs and this is where many of the students were expecting a lot of the events to be held. One of the big changes students want to see for next year is a switch of venues to meet this expectation. No one from Dirty Box promotions or Fatsoma was available for comment when we contacted them.
Thumbs down for ‘disappointing’ £54 freshers pass