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Crime Analysis 2006

Attached are School Crime Statistics for the campus for the 12 months of 2006 alongside  comparison figures for the years 2001 to 2005. 

It is difficult to compare our statistics with those from other universities since each university classifies its crime differently.   However, as far as it is possible to tell, our statistics are show that crime here is no worse than and probably better than most other universities.

The number of crimes reported during 2006 at 145 is down on previous years.

The British Crime Surveys tell us that there is always an element of unreported crime.   I estimate that around 25% of crime is not reported on this campus.  If that estimate is accurate then it would mean that our total crimes for 2006 would be 181 as opposed to 145.

In general unreported crime is petty crime.  We are aware that there are some unreported alcohol fuelled assaults/damage possibly 3 cases a year.  The assaults are probably in the lower ranges of injury inflicted. 

The highest losses expressed in cash terms on the campus over the year in descending order were :-

1)      Personal property          -          £23K

2)      School IT equipment      -          £13.6K

3)      Bicycles                         -          £13K

Laptop computers are the most expensive item commonly stolen in the ‘personal property’ and ‘IT equipment’  categories. Between twelve and fourteen laptops are stolen here each year. 
A lot of purses/wallets are stolen in public communal areas – the amounts of cash involved are often relatively small but the effect on the victims is probably commensurately more miserable.In the last quarter of 2005 crime in the Garrick Restaurant has virtually ceased after a considerable amount of high visibility security presence during the busy lunch times.
These crime statistics show that we all need to remain vigilant to reduce opportunistic crime from walk in thieves.

Reception

It is at the entrance to the Old Building, Houghton Street. The security area within Reception is staffed 24 hours every day of the year by a security team - even during the school closure periods.

LSE Reception has installed a state of the art clock. It has fascinating features, such as sunlight, sun's movement and global positioning system. For more information about the clock and its features see How to read the Geochron World Clock (PDF).

• If you want help or see anyone behaving suspiciously, telephone Reception using one of the internal phones located at various places around the campus - dial 2000.
  
  
• To contact security staff in an emergency dial 666 from any internal telephone.

Property lost and found can be a problem. Over 5,000 items are lost and found every year.

• There is a Property Office in Room A050 which is open 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm during term time - outside these hours speak to reception staff.

Laptops

Laptop Computers are the HOTTEST items at the top of every thief's 'most desirable' list of property to take.

Bicycles

Bicycles are always parked on and around the campus. These parked bikes attract thieves like a magnet. Thieves will especially target bikes which look expensive. if you use a bike, be careful where you park. Do not leave your bike unattended for hours. Visit your bike regularly. Make sure that it is secured with a substantial lock and preferably two locks wherever it is parked, particularly if left in racks around the campus.

Lockers

Lockers are widely used inside the school.

• Do not put valuable items into lockers, particularly wallets, purses and laptops.
  
  
• Please do not use the lockers in the library and changing facilities as permanent storage lockers - anything left there overnight will be removed by security staff.
  
  
• When you have found your locker, secure it with a strong lock of at least six millimetres thickness.     

Fire safety

The school has sophisticated fire systems installed in its buildings. These systems vary from building to building.

• If you see fire or smoke, sound the alarm immediately by pressing a fire call point
• Leave by the nearest exit
• Do not use lifts
• Only try to tackle a fire if you can do so without endangering yourself or others.
• Go immediately to the fire assembly point

DO NOT re-enter the building until told that you may do so by an LSE Fire Warden. The location of the fire assembly point for each building is displayed near each fire call point. Fire call points are to be found near each entrance/exit.

Working at evenings/ weekends

If you decide to work in any school building during the evening or at the weekend, remember that some exits that are normally open during the working day may be locked, even those signed as fire exits.

It is up to you to make sure that you know two different open routes out to ground and safety from any place you may choose to use to work or study. Check this before you settle down to work. If you intend to work in the school during evenings and weekends please let security know (extn 2000 / 6200 / 7111) where you are working and how long you will be there.  

February 2006

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