University security staff given stab vest protection

Security staff at universities in Yorkshire are increasingly turning to stab-proof vests for protection against knife crime, the Yorkshire Post has discovered.

Four of the region's largest institutions have guards who wear the protective gear, after Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Hull and the University of Huddersfield all opted for stab vests in the last two years.

The University of Leeds has been providing its staff with knife protection for more than a decade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This means 40 per cent of Yorkshire's universities employ security guards with the vests – significantly higher than the national figure, believed to be around 25 per cent.

The University of Huddersfield contracts Bradford-based firm Kings Security Systems for out-of-hours security, using staff who have worn stab vests on campus since August 2009 – but the university's own security team do not wear knife protection.

Another firm, PPSS, provides stab-proof vests to Leeds Metropolitan security staff and Kings Security Systems for Huddersfield.

The chief executive officer of PPSS, Robert Kaiser, said: "A quarter of the country's universities have staff carrying around knife protection. A security guard working at night is doing a high-risk job. If stab vests increase the chance of them going home to their wife and kids then they're a good thing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Because of the danger of burglary in some areas, security might be doing walking patrol. It's unlikely people will be carrying a knife but they might be carrying a screwdriver primarily to get away from the scene of the crime – not to hurt the guards but to avoid arrest."

A security guard at Leeds Metropolitan University was stabbed when he was attacked by three teenagers on the Headingley campus in October 2008, which heightened fears about student safety and the use of knives on campus.

The guard suffered puncture wounds to a hand, arm and shoulder, but pulled the knife free before the intruders ran off.

Mr Kaiser added: "I think the stab vests take-up is going to increase. Just because security staff wear them does not mean there is a higher crime rate – it just means they are taking a precaution."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

None of the security guards employed by Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, the University of Bradford, Leeds Trinity University College, York St John University or the University of York wear the protective vests.

Security staff at the University of Leeds have been using stab-proof vests for 12 years, whereas Hull introduced them in summer 2008 and Leeds Met in Easter 2009 – months after its security guard was attacked.

A University of Leeds spokesman said: "Leeds is a large campus adjacent to the city centre and the open nature of our property means there are concerns about people who stray onto it coming into contact with our security staff.

"Although the likelihood of attack is statistically very small the potential impact could be significant. Our staff face the same risks as their counterparts in city centre shops, hospitals and nightclubs around the country."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman for Leeds Metropolitan University said: "The university has a team of security staff who work around the clock to ensure the safety of students and staff, which is of the utmost importance to us.

"Our campus wardens and security staff do a fantastic job which is highly valued by everyone at the university."

A spokesman for Kings Security Systems said: "Stab vests are part of the uniform at the University of Huddersfield. We provide this item of protection to all our personnel at this facility."

The latest British Crime Survey showed that police recorded 33,566 knife offences in the last year, a fall of seven per cent.

A Home Office counter-terrorism report on crowded places emphasised that universities and colleges are crowded places to which any member of the public can gain access.