Cameras cutting campus crime rate

Cameras at the campus have reduced crime by 70%

Crime at a North East university has been reduced by 70% thanks to a hi-tech security system in its grounds.

To reduce the rate even further Sunderland University is to install three state-of-the-art digital security control centres with 200 cameras.

Bosses at the university, which caters for 16,000 students and 2,000 staff, said the powerful new digital camera system would help reduce crime further.

It is also hoped that the new system would make students feel safer.

Campus police

Graeme Robinson, Sunderland University security manager said: "We have dramatically reduced crime on our campuses over recent years thanks to our dedicated security staff, campus police staff and the use of CCTV.

"Thanks to all of this we are safe in the knowledge that we are doing all we can to ensure the well-being of our students."

Currently the university has two campus police officers who patrol the grounds. North Shields-based security specialist 2020 Vision will install the new system.

Peter Houlis, 2020 Vision Managing Director said: "With the current rapid social and economic development in the region, more students from across the UK and abroad are choosing to study in the North East."