We’re living in fear say students
STUDENTS living in Fallowfield say they are ‘too scared to walk the streets at night’ claiming crime is ‘out of hand’ as they urge police to make the suburb safer.
Campaigners claim there has been an increase in violent attacks on young people in the area and burglaries in recent weeks.
In one incident a man was stabbed multiple times during a vicious attack on Brailsford Road on Saturday, September 30. The 21-year-old needed hospital treatment after he was knifed in the leg and arm by a group of men shortly after 4.10am.
Another student has described the terrifying moment he was attacked with a crowbar during a knifepoint robbery in the early hours of Thursday.
And a young female student has told how a burglar scaled a wall and clambered through the window of her shared house before strolling out through the front door.
A petition, signed by almost 6,000 people, is calling on police to make the area safe for student residents.
Petition organiser Matthew Harvison says increased action is necessary.
The University of Manchester student will hand his petition in to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Said Matthew: “There are social media posts every day from people saying they’ve been targeted by burglars or the victim of a violent attack. Enough is enough. We need to make a collective student voice.”
Third-year student Matthew, 20, claims students living in multi-occupancy accommodation in Fallowfield, Withington and Rusholme are at most risk.
He said: “When police talk about giving out advice they’re talking about the Manchester uni halls. They are disregarding second and third-year students going into private accommo- dation. They are the worst hit. Right now they feel neglected by police.”
In a message shared on campaigning site change.org, Matthew claims the number of burglaries in the area is ‘out of hand’ and says many students are ‘scared to walk the streets at night’.
There were 133 crimes reported in the student suburb in August, according to the latest available figures. That includes 29 reports of violence and sexual offences, 15 burglaries, three robberies and six thefts from a person.
Matthew’s petition has been backed by students, residents and parents of those living in the city.
Mr Burnham said he will contact Matthew, and he added: “Our vast and thriving student communities bring so much to our city-region and I want all students to be able to make the most of their time here.
“Everyone in Greater Manchester has the right to feel safe in their local area and that includes our students. I will be discussing what action we’re taking to reassure residents with my deputy mayor for policing and crime as well as the chief constable.”
Chief Insp Caroline Hemingway, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “Our officers work closely with our partners at the university, Manchester Student Homes and the city council to ensure students are able to enjoy the city without fear.
“We want to send a clear message to any offender wanting to target students that we will be relentless in our pursuit to bring them to justice and will continue working hard to reduce any opportunities for them.
“As part of our student safe operation we have increased our patrols in and around the campus area and this will be in place throughout term time and beyond.”