Locksmithing Tips to Increase University Campus Security
Studying at college and university is an exciting yet daunting experience for any student, offering the chance to meet new people, enjoy new experiences, and learn a lot about yourself as you take on various challenges. Of course, university and college can be quite stressful, whether it’s meeting tight deadlines, cramming a last-minute study session for an upcoming exam, or affording a decent meal!
Given various stresses of student life, it’s vital that people feel safe and secure at their university campus, as the last thing anyone needs to worry about is personal safety during their higher education. So, higher education establishments must take necessary measures to improve campus security for both students and staff!
Here’s what a leading professional locksmith in Leeds, Lock & Key, recommend for how to improve university campus security:
Use CCTV to Monitor the Entire Campus
One of the best ways to improve university campus security is with a comprehensive CCTV system. CCTV not only helps to deter common campus security risks like violence, theft, and unauthorised access, but can also be used to identify people who have caused issues.
The presence of security cameras around the campus also gives staff and students peace of mind that they’re safe and secure, whether it’s attending lectures, studying at the library, or relaxing outside between classes.
University campuses are massive, making it challenging to efficiently monitor the various buildings, rooms, and outside areas, but with CCTV in place, security personnel will find it easier to track potential security threats and provide a quick response if any incidents occur.
Install Access Control Systems
With thousands of students and staff coming and going from a university campus each day, installing an access control system is a good idea to restrict entry to certain areas, which is another top recommendation from locksmiths.
After all, your average university campus will have countless rooms and areas with valuable equipment and sensitive data that require restricted access, such as laboratories, offices, research facilities, student residences, etc. These areas may always need to restrict access or only at certain parts of the day, so implementing various access control systems might be necessary.
These areas may always need to restrict access or only at certain parts of the day, so implementing various access control systems might be necessary.
Keypad and fob access systems are popular for student halls, offering quick and convenient access while lowering the risk of intruders, theft, and burglaries. For areas with costly equipment, such as laboratories, universities can use biometrics that require fingerprint scans for strict access control.
Integrate Security Alarms
Security alarms are a great way to boost security, deter crime, and allow rapid responses to any incidents that might arise. If someone tries to break into the university, the alarm will trigger and alert security personnel or the police, increasing the chances of them being caught.
Alarms are an easy and effective way to increase security around entrances, exits, laboratories, libraries, student accommodation, and other high-risk areas. Alarms will discourage all kinds of security threats common in universities, including unauthorised entry, burglary, and vandalism.
Use Lighting to Illuminate Areas with Poor Visibility
Your average UK university typically features a sprawling campus consisting of various buildings of all shapes and sizes, meaning there’s likely to be several areas with low visibility, such as car parks, pathways, stairwells, corridors, storage rooms, gardens, etc.
Low-lit areas increase the risks of various campus crimes like theft, assault, and robbery, not to mention accidents. So, it’s important to address these risks with high-quality lighting across the university.
Locksmiths recommend various lighting options to boost visibility and improve campus safety, such as floodlights and bollard lighting in outdoor areas and replacing older lights with LEDs and smart lights.
Attach Window Barriers
Installing physical barriers like security bars and grilles on windows around the university campus can help prevent break-ins, especially on ground-floor windows. These thick bars and grilles make it almost impossible for intruders to gain entry through a window, which is a common method criminals use to access properties.
Window grilles and bars are incredibly low maintenance, providing 24/7 protection once they’re installed for added safety throughout the campus. Plus, they allow enough light to pass through that they won’t restrict visibility if used on windows in classrooms.
Conclusion
Professional locksmiths recommend a multi-layered approach to increase university campus security, including using CCTV, alarms, access control, and security lights, especially when integrated to create a comprehensive security system. With these security measures in place, universities can limit various security risks, including theft, vandalism, and unauthorised entry.
It’s highly recommended that you consult with an experienced locksmithing agency, such as Lock & Key, to find the right solutions for each university’s specific needs and ensure systems continue to operate over the long term with reliable repairs, maintenance, and upgrades.
