A spate of thefts in Langwith College over the past few weeks has seen a number of valuables go missing from the study bedrooms.
Expensive items such as laptops and phones have been reported as missing over recent weeks, forcing both YUSU Welfare Officer Bob Hughes and Langwith Chair Jack Baker to send out emails warning students of the issue. The local police have also been called in to investigate.
Baker wrote in his email to residents: “Over the weekend two thefts in Langwith C block occurred. Can we please remind all students to keep all outer doors locked (not propped open) and to lock rooms when left unattended (even for a short time). Please also report any suspicious activity to security, even if it might be nothing!”
The thefts have been taking place on the top floor of C Block, with the nature of the block’s keycard system leading to staff warning students of the likelihood of this being an inside job.
One block resident told Vision: “There have been a lot of problems with theft all over campus – laptops and phones, among other things have been taken from my block over the summer term, all from the third floor as far as I know. I don’t know how many thefts there have been in total but there have been several. We have been recently reminded by Suzanne Dekker to lock our doors all the time and have been told that it is probably an internal issue.”
“It is quite odd that the thefts have only happened on the third floor of my block, as before I heard about them my door was always unlocked, as were lots of other people’s on lower floors, which are more easily accessible. We’ve definitely been more aware of security over the last couple of weeks, though – almost everyone locks their door all the time now.”
YUSU Welfare Officer Bob Hughes commented: “The incidents in Langwith are concerning, and students should be careful to keep their belongings safe by not leaving their rooms unlocked if they’re not in. The local police are also looking into the incidents and will be investigating what happened thoroughly.”