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Top tips for keeping your belongings secure

14 Feb 2017

There’s been an increase in phone snatching incidents on campus recently, so here are a few simple things you can do to keep your belongings secure and yourself safe

Be assured, we work hard to make our campus as safe as possible, with four security teams patrolling 24/7 on foot and in cars and monitoring via CCTV all along Oxford Road. We respond quickly and work closely with the Students' Union, the police and other universities to keep Manchester a great place to live and study.

Unfortunately, that’s not always enough and at the moment we’re experiencing a spate of mobile phone and handbag snatches on and around campus. Many have happened during the daytime - thieves are probably targeting people who appear to be less cautious when it's light.

Protect

Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your belongings:

  • Keep your mobile phone in your pocket when it's not in use - the thieves are targeting people while they are using their phones.
  • If you’re using your mobile, make sure you’re aware of what’s going on around you.
  • If you haven’t got tracking capability on your phone, download an App - some companies offer a limited service for free.
  • Make a note of your personal IMEI number (type *#06# on your phone's keypad to get it). This number cannot be altered or deleted by the thief and, if you know it, you can block your phone and prevent anyone else from using it.
  • Register your mobile and other property with a serial number on the national property database Immobilise - it’s free to do.
  • Use the security features on your phone to stop the thief simply factory resetting your phone.

Report

If you see something suspicious happening on or near campus, please contact:

  • On campus - University Security on 0161 306 9966 (on the back of your ID card)
    or
  • Off campus - Greater Manchester Police on 101

If you’ve witnessed an actual crime or have had something stolen, ring the Police on 999.

Further information

General security advice is available on StaffNet at: