The University of Leeds secures police award for security
The University of Leeds has achieved the prestigious Secured Environments award by demonstrating their commitment to good security management.
The University, established in 1904, is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and is renowned globally for the quality of its teaching and research.
To achieve the Secured Environments award, the University underwent a thorough audit of their security processes and procedures, as well as consultation with staff, to verify that they were following six key principles to maximise the security of staff, students and visitors.
The six key principles of the Secured Environment accreditation are a commitment by an organisation and its leadership to create a secure environment; an understanding of the security risks that it faces; the development of an effective response to reduce the risks to the organisation; a management plan to achieve its aims and objectives; the effective implementation of the security and crime prevention measures; and the monitoring and evaluation of the security and crime prevention measures.
The University faces a number of key challenges in managing security across a large number of buildings with a range of functions as it is set on one of the main access routes into the city of Leeds. The University work in close partnership with a number of organisations, delivering a number of joint initiatives to target key threats. They have also made one of their buildings available to West Yorkshire Police to be used by a local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Malcolm Dawson BEM MSyI, Head of Security, University of Leeds said: “I am absolutely delighted that the University of Leeds has achieved the Secured Environments award for the whole of the University Campus. I am particularly pleased that the University was recognised for our commitment in ensuring that the University is a safe environment for students, staff and visitors.
“Communication with staff and students was recognised throughout our endeavours to keep the University safe. This award is a team effort, and I must thank the security team for their collaborative approach towards a safe and secure environment, particularly to allow academic study to continue free from disruption”.
Guy Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer at Police Crime Prevention Initiatives said: “Congratulations are due to the University of Leeds for recognising and rising to this challenge and for meeting the high standards required to achieve the Secured Environments award.
“It is crucial for educational establishments to recognise and respond to the crime and security risks they face and Secured Environments provides that framework for managing security and ensuring it is effective and that staff at all levels are involved. This type of good security is valued by employees, students and indeed their parents”.
Secured Environments is a police certification scheme. It was established in 2007 and provides a framework for managing and meeting the challenges faced, and it enables organisations to refine their approach and demonstrate that it is effective. The aim is to help organisations to think about their risks and how to make the best use of measures they already have.
Secured Environments was developed through the partnership of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives and Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International Limited (PRCI), a specialist in crime, risk and security management.
Secured Environments locations include a landmark building, shopping centres, Universities, halls of residence, hospitals, data centres and business premises.