Diary room helps students fight crime

A Big Brother style diary room is set to help students fight crime by passing on useful safety tips.

Students are being invited to  enter a competition in which they record a short video explaining how  taking simple precautions can make sure they - as well as their  valuables - remain safe.

The winner will receive a  laptop computer and will have their work shown at the Cornerhouse cinema  on Oxford Road over a week in December.

Students can record their tips  either by sitting in the Big Brother style diary room, which will be  visiting Manchester University, Salford University and the Royal Northern  College of Music, or by indulging their creative skills by filming and  editing their own short films.

The video could feature ideas  ranging from how to make homes less likely to be burgled, to ideas for  avoid being targeted by thieves during nights out, such as not leaving  phones or MP3 players on display in bars and pubs.

All shortlisted videos will be  hosted on YouTube and Facebook and viewers will be encouraged to vote for  their favourites.

The winner will be chosen from  the top 10 by a panel of organisers from Greater Manchester Police and  Manchester City Council.

Councillor Jim Battle,  Manchester City Council's deputy leader, said: "Manchester is a great city  for students, but we want them to be aware that just taking a few simple  steps can mean their time here won't be marred.

"This competition is all about  encouraging students to think about the simple things they can do to make  sure they stay safe."

Russ Jackson, Divisional  Commander for Greater Manchester Police's Metropolitan Division said:  "Though we and our colleagues in the City Council and universities work  hard to safeguard students and advise them on how to keep themselves and  their property safe, that message is sometimes better received from their  fellow students."

Send all videos, contact and  university details to mcrstudentsafety@gmail.com. For guidelines - and a few ideas to get you started - visit  www.manchester.gov.uk/StudentSafety.

 Videos, which must be up to three minutes  long, should be submitted by 9am on Monday 18 October and the winners will  be announced on Tuesday 30 November.