The Universities of Bristol and Bath have both won a prestigious national security award.
They are the first universities in the country to achieve the police-approved Secured Environments award.
Secured Environments is a police-certification scheme awarded to organisations that can demonstrate they have adopted six key principles of crime protection. The award promotes good security practice in organisations by focusing on strategy, process and people.
The results from Bristol University’s audit demonstrated that it had invested in effective processes and management in order to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and worked hard to provide a balanced approach to security.
Jerry Woods, Head of Security at Bristol, said: “After significant re-organisation within the department over the last few years and the hard work of all security staff to increase professionalism of the service we provide, I am delighted that we are seen as making a difference to the many thousands of students and staff who study and work here. This award is a culmination of that effort.”
Feedback from the panel who conducted the audit in Bath showed the University scored highly for its commitment to providing a secure environment and for the way its security team is managed and run.
Brian Schofield, Head of Security at Bath, said: “We are very proud to receive this national security award. We work very hard to ensure that all our staff and students can work, study and live in a safe and secure environment. This accreditation is just reward for all that effort and will further boost the University’s standing both nationally and internationally as one of the safest places to study.”
Alan McInnes, General Manager of ACPO Secured by Design (owned by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) in partnership with the Perpetuity Group to deliver Secured Environments), said: “We are pleased the Universities of Bristol and Bath have achieved these awards. It demonstrates to staff, students, and potential students, that the university security is committed to a safe and secure environment as an important ongoing feature of management and university life.”
The Secured Environments award will be presented to representatives from both universities at a special ceremony at the University of Bath on Monday, 26 January.