Preventing Crime on Campus: How British Universities Are Tackling Rising Security Challenges
Blog: Preventing Crime on Campus: How British Universities Are Tackling Rising Security Challenges Published: 01/12/2025
Preventing Crime on Campus: How British Universities Are Tackling Rising Security Challenges
Keeping university campuses safe and welcoming for students is a growing challenge for leaders across the UK higher education sector. According to the 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), 59% of students at UK universities reported that security measures influenced their choice of university. These findings underline the need for institutions to prioritise robust protection measures to maintain campus security. Let’s explore how universities are addressing this.
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Taking action on campus crime
The numbers speak for themselves: the Complete University Guide 2024 rankings highlighted student-reported crime rates from police data – many university cities recorded over 20-60 incidents per 1000 residents last year, with theft, burglary, and antisocial behaviour consistently topping the list. Sexual violence and harassment are also common issues for students. A survey of 52,000 undergraduate students in England undertaken by the Office for Students revealed that 14% had experienced harassment or sexual assault while at university.
Professional surveillance, supported by smart technology, is a proven crime deterrent on UK campuses. Modern CCTV systems from Motorola Solutions, for instance, cover wide areas with high definition clarity and night vision, providing reliable coverage for open spaces and secluded corridors.
However, the technology making headlines across the UK today is the adoption of Motorola Solutions body worn cameras by some university-based security teams. These devices assist university security officers in several ways:
- Conflict de-escalation: when individuals know that their actions are being recorded, they are often more likely to moderate their behaviour. This can help to de-escalate confrontational situations without as much need for physical intervention.
- Accountability: the footage captured by body worn cameras provides a nonbiased record of interactions between university security teams and students or members of the public. This protects all parties involved, providing clear evidence in the case of a complaint or dispute.
- Conduct and training: knowing that they are being recorded encourages security personnel to adhere to professional standards and procedures at all times, and footage can be used to determine training requirements and action plans for individual officers.
Improving collaboration and crime response with two-way radios
While Motorola Solutions two-way radios support officers on the ground, a robust security network is essential for rapid response. On large university campuses, giving all security officers the ability to communicate instantly is crucial for coordinating responses to criminal behaviour.
An attempted theft, attack, or burglary can unfold very quickly. Motorola Solutions two-way radios allow security staff to stay connected, relay information instantly, and provide mutual support across campus. Features like GPS tracking empower control rooms and supervisors to monitor officer locations and deploy the nearest responder, reducing response times. Built-in emergency alerts and panic buttons add another layer of reassurance, enabling discreet distress signals that notify the entire security network.
Investing in a safer future of your university
Contact CSE Crosscom today to learn more about body worn cameras, two-way radios, and how a fully integrated security system can help deter crime on your campus. We’ve partnered with some of the UK’s largest universities to enhance safety and security, delivering solutions that seamlessly combine surveillance, body worn cameras, and two-way communication — enabling institutions to better protect students, staff, and visitors.