A police liaison room was opened in November 2005 in University Centre. The centre was opened by Geoff Pringle (previously the Head of Housing and Accommodation Services, Birmingham University) and Stuart Hyde (West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable).
The liaison room is open on a Wednesday between 12.00 and 15.00. The office is routinely staffed by West Midlands Police, including PC Andrew (Andy) Smith who took over from in January 2012 from PC Jack Regan. Members of BUBUG normally attend from 12.45 to 14.00 to provide support for cycling queries. Please call by as those staffing the office can provide a range of advice.
The office provides a central point for officers from Bournvillle Lane Operational Command Unit whilst on patrol, thereby giving them more time to patrol the campus, helping to reduce crime and make everyone feel safer. It makes the police more accessible and available to both staff and students and demonstrates a partnership between the Police and the University. The Guild of Students Community Liaison Officer Gary Hughes helped set up the initiative and is very pleased that the centre is now open.
Available at these times will be Squire Silver standard D-locks. These locks are Sold Secure products that have been subsidised by the University and the West Midlands Police crime reduction unit in order to help reduce the theft of cycles from campus and from the Selly Oak/Bournbrook areas. The cost is £15 for students and £20 for staff (as of 20th June 2012). It is still one lock per person and you will need to produce your Staff/Student University ID card. Cash only please and the right change will assist greatly.
Also available at the same place and time are high visibility garments. Sleeveless yellow waistcoats cost £3.00 and long sleeved jackets cost £4.50. For cyclists, the long sleeved versions are highly recommended as it is the Scotchlite on the arms that is visible to drivers when you are signaling to turn left or right at night. Sizes range from small (36" chest) to 4XL (58" chest) and all sizes are normally in stock. We also stock children's sizes (ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) for £3.00 each. Come and try them on to get the right size. Yellow leg bands to keep your trousers out of the chain cost only £1.50 or a pair for £3.00.
Cycle lights (front and back with batteries) are also available for only £8 (students) or £10 (staff).
You can have your cycle security marked using the Selectamark system FREE OF CHARGE. This registers your cycle on a national database with a unique reference number. Should your cycle be stolen and subsequently recovered, it will be possible to identify the rightful owner. If you register your address and then move to a new one you simply advise the database managers of your new details.
Why not pop along and say hello?
