Stealing on campus

John Lenart

There are an average of three reported thefts each week in the Rankine Brown Building. Since enrolment fortnight there have been two reported thefts in the Student Union Building. A great many more thefts go unreported.

The petty thief is most prominent on campus. He gains most of his opportunities in the library. Bags, coats and umbrellas left in a maze are fertile pickings. Books or pens left on library tables are further temptations.

There are few thefts that appear to be planned. In 1965 a large amount of money was taken from the Student's Association safe. This did have the appearances of a planned robbery. The thieves were not caught.

In the past two years, there were two cases in the SUB where the thieves were nonstudents. Last year an elderly man was caught stealing in the gymnasium.

Students pass through the library doors 25.000 times a day -an average of five times per student. In comparison with this number, "the actual pilfering is infinitesimal," said the caretaker of Rankine Brown. Mr. Higson.

Nearly £35 taken from a satchel was the biggest theft known to Mr. Higson.

Few thefts are reported in the gymnasium. This seems to be due to the use of the locker system. Though there have been thefts of light-bulbs and the occasional bar of soap.

The Police have a file headed "University Thefts" in which all our reported and unsolved thefts are contained. There have been plain clothes detectives working on campus to check stealing.

Stealing, however, is a probIam only because of carelessness. Students are continually advised not to keep valuables in their bags, when left unattended. Many students who have small amounts taken do. not actually report the theft. They feel it is too late to do anything about it. Had they been more careful, the theft might not have occurred.