Accommodation Handbook Section 5 - Security

Index to Section 5:

5.1 Room Keys

5.2 Vacating Rooms

5.3 Building and Room Security

5.4 Personal Safety5.5 Security Plan

5.6 CCTV

 

5.1 Room Keys

Many study bedrooms are fitted with electronic 'keyless' locks that are operated using the University card. For rooms which still have a conventional, mechanical lock, Junior members may obtain a key to their rooms in College or in the College Hostels from the Head Porter. Those issued with a key will be required to sign for it when it is issued at the start of each Term and to sign again when it is returned at the end of each Term. These key registrations are important in confirming the dates for any additional rent. In the event of the keys not being returned, a charge of £25 will be made. If you lose your key a charge of £25 will be made. A charge of £50 will be made for the loss of a second key.

5.2 Vacating Rooms

The College allocates rooms for use by others during the vacations (e.g. to candidates for interview or to members of conferences). You must normally vacate your room by the Sunday following the end of Full Term. Permission must be obtained from your Tutor if you wish to stay in college during the vacation. You may have to move to another room, if your room is required by the College for any reason during the vacation. Postgraduates living in College accommodation will be charged a £50 key deposit on their bills. This will be credited back when the key is returned.

The College cannot and does not accept responsibility for any losses.

5.3 Building and Room Security

The College has installed security locks on the doors on some staircases to provide a greater degree of security for rooms and those who occupy them. It is very important that staircase doors are kept closed and locked. Do not leave buildings using fire doors with a push bar opening system as these doors cannot be closed and secured from the outside.

5.4 Personal safety

Members should take the normal precautions associated with living in a relatively big city, particularly when moving around in Town at night.

* try to travel in pairs or groups
* keep to main routes where other people are around
* dress ˜down" rather than "up"
* use public transport or taxis late at night
* avoid deserted or ill-lit areas
* avoid arguments with strangers
* consider carrying a personal alarm
* look confident and do not stare at strangers
* consider carrying a mobile phone but keep it out of sight
* do not leave belongings unattended or within reach of strangers

If you are carrying valuables with you

* keep all valuable items out of sight of others
* do not carry large sums in cash
* keep details of valuable items, credit card numbers, and serial numbers in a separate place

Where you live

* insure your property on an "all risks" personal effects policy - the College does not insure it.
* never leave your room with the door unlocked - even if you are only next door or going to the shower.
* close and fasten windows when you are not in
* If you live on the ground floor, do not leave valuable items visible through or within reach of an open window
* take great care of your keys
* do not let in people whom you do not know

5.5 Security Plan

There are three phases to consider with regard to Security alerts in the College:

Prevention

This is a general responsibility for all members of the College: staff; fellows, and students. Access to the Domus is generally controlled by means of the Porters and number-lock gates, backed up by staff vigilance and CCTV monitoring. Staircases and hostels must be closed and, where possible, locked; there should not be any opportunity for ˜terrorists" to leave devices in those areas. Students are responsible for their individual room. Unknown persons should be questioned as to their presence inside buildings. Any rubbish bins (waste paper/skips etc.) are regularly emptied and inspected by College staff. It is everyone's responsibility to keep their eyes open and be alert to possible threats.

Reaction to a General Threat

This is a non-specific threat towards the area (Cambridge) or the establishment (the University), such as by animal rights activists. When a general threat alert is issued, it is essential that all areas of the College be searched, with the aim of identifying any abnormal or unusual object, which has been left within the College Domus site or hostels.

Details of any alert are rapidly disseminated to all concerned by the Head Porter and his staff, and then each area is responsible for its own security sweep and reporting back to the Porters' Lodge when complete. The public areas on the Domus site - Library, Chapel, etc. - will be checked by College staff. Fellows and students are responsible for their own room or hostel and environs, including common areas. The aim is to split the work up among many people to reduce the overall time taken, to improve reaction time and to heighten awareness.

Reaction to a Specific threat

If there is a specific threat against the College, e.g. information that the College, a particular staircase or building has been targeted, the aim is always to reduce the risk of death or injury. A specific threat would require immediate evacuation of the building or area concerned, followed by a full sweep by Explosive Ordnance Devices experts. The quickest way to effect this evacuation will be by sounding the fire alarm for the area concerned. Explosive Ordnance Devices reporting will be via the Porters (or the incident controller) to the local Police station.

5.6 CCTV

CCTV cameras are used on the Domus to help to safeguard the security of people and property. Cameras are positioned to capture views of the car parks and the main entrances to the College, as well as general views throughout the courts. The live pictures are monitored, from time to time, by the College Porters, in order to detect any suspicious activity. The images are recorded onto a digital recording system and can be reviewed retrospectively during the investigation of any incident.

Warning signs are in place at the College entrances to inform staff, students, Fellows and members of the public that surveillance cameras are in operation. CCTV imagery is retained for approximately 10 days before being overwritten.

Information derived from CCTV surveillance will only be used for security purposes, unless it leads to the discovery of an activity that no employer could reasonably be expected to ignore, for example, breaches of Health and Safety rules that put others at risk.

You have the right of access to information about yourself held on CCTV imagery. To request access you will be asked to complete a Data Access Request Form (available from the Information Officer), pay the current fee and provide evidence of your identity.

TOP

Maintained by | Last updated Fri, 5 Jul 2013 - 3:22pm