Looters in the library

A number of students’ belongings have been stolen as a result of being left unattended in the University library.

Campus police officer Mick Parkes told the Boar that five thefts of valuable items were reported to the campus police in 2012. Two laptops, two purses and one mobile phone were stolen, and have never been recovered.

Mr Parkes is also aware of a further number of thefts in the same year that were reported to campus security but not to the police. Similarly to the cases reported to the police, all the items stolen were left unattended.

Given that many students using the library leave their personal belongings unattended for minutes or even hours at a time, especially in term three, Mr Parkes said that “the potential for lots of thefts is there”.

“The low number of thefts shows that the library is a relatively safe place, but that does not mean students can assume that there is no risk in leaving their belongings unattended,” he added.

The library and the campus police are working together to try to communicate this message. Signs advising library users to keep their valuables with them at all times have been placed in the library elevators and near the entrance on the first floor.

Additionally, campus police officers are putting informative flyers on valuables left unattended for significant amounts of time.

Kelly Parkes-Harrison, press and communications manager at Warwick, said: “We do take the problem of thefts seriously. Whilst the actual number of thefts that take place in the Library is low, our aim is to reduce this further, ideally eradicate completely, and so continue to look for ways to ensure customers are aware of the risk of leaving items unattended.

“We work closely with University security in this respect and will continue to introduce measures to raise awareness.”

However, many students think that precautions are unnecessary. Fourth-year French student Owain Mason-Jones said that the number of thefts was too low to seriously worry him.

Another fourth-year French student, Antonia Rassool, agreed. “It’s a pain to have to take your stuff with you to go to get a drink, and I normally sit with people I know,” she said.

Some students were concerned at the thought of losing assessed work. Second-year Classical Civilisation student Eliot Pallot thought that students should make backups just in case their laptops were taken.

Mr Parkes commented: “We understand that students feel safe, but the only sure way of looking after your personal items is too keep them in your sight and possession at all times.”