Three robberies in the space of only three days have taken place in areas close to campus, Vision can reveal. The incidents occurred at the junction of Heslington Road and University Road, on Wentworth Way and on Walmgate Stray.
First year Vanbrugh student Adam Smith, was mugged near Wentworth College last Monday at around 11.30 in the evening.
“I was sitting on a bench by the stray, when four people, three guys and one girl surrounded me. One of the guys had a crowbar and told me to give him my wallet and my phone.”
The police have since informed him that the main offender was 21 years old, but that the two other men were 15 and 16 and the girl accompanying them was only 13 years old.
Smith handed over his possessions and was fortunately not physically harmed. One of the other victims was not as lucky. According to the police, the same people attacked another student only two hours later. As he initially had refused to give up his belongings, he was hit over the head with a metal pole.
The North Yorkshire police are treating these as serious offences and a detective at York CID is assigned to the cases. So far, five people have been arrested on Suspicion of Robbery. Smith has been called in to identify the suspects.
“I can re-assure you that my team will do everything to ensure that you are safe and that York police will do everything to bring the offenders to justice,” says Andy Haigh of the North Yorkshire police.
He also states that further resources will be provided to patrol campus and that campus security will be “highly visible” in the early hours.
However, the lack of proper lighting and CCTV in the affected areas has left some students worried. “The path is very badly lit, it’s no wonder people take advantage of it. Something should definitely be done about it to avoid further incidents,” said second year Physics student Sam Astbury, a Fulford resident who regularly uses the path where Smith was mugged.
These events come after a Vision investigation last term showing crime on campus has increased by 72%. The university then commented that this is mostly due to cycle theft. A statement from the university following the recent serious robberies reads, “these incidents are regrettable and distressing for the people involved. It is important to remember that crime around the University campus is relatively low. The police have issued advice following these incidents and we would urge students to follow it.”
When asked if he has any advice to fellow students should they find themselves in a similar situation, Smith said, “I would advise them to do what the muggers say and give over your possessions. At the end of the day your wellbeing is a lot more important than a phone and a wallet.”
If you have any information regarding these or any other incidents contact Sgt646 Andy HAIGH or PCSO6451 BUCHANAN on 0845 60 60 247 or e-mail [email protected]
I’m not convinced that more lighting would make much difference.
Any potential good in terms of deterrence is probably outweighed
by the fact that it creates a sense of security and therefore
encourages potential victims to go into areas which they wouldn’t
normally be in after dark. There’s a lot to be said for remote
areas LOOKING remote and dangerous. You’re more likely to take
a safer route instead, or if you do go that way then you’ll be
more vigilant, and maybe have an attack alarm ready, or perhaps
try to make sure that you’re accompanied by friends. There
must be better ways to improve security than spending thousands
on lighting. On campus, we need more security patrols and more
porters, and off campus we could use more police/CSO patrols,
especially at the right times. I only ever see police and CSO
footpatrols on or near campus during the day, when they’re not
needed so much. That’s presumably because during the day they
get seen by more people and therefore have a bigger reassurance
effect. But personally I’d rather have real crime reduced than
my PERCEPTION of crime reduced.
If someone got shot Hes Hall and the Union would be issuing
statements within 5 minutes saying how York is X percentage
points below the UK gun crime average per capita, as if that
helps the victim or as if we even need to know the relative
crime statistics. They should just reiterate the usual safety
advice, and then shut up. For Hes Hall to trot out the line
about the area around campus being statistically “safe” when
someone has just been attacked is inappropriate and irritating.