‘Scary’: Curtin University students fear for personal safety unless campus housing security improved

Curtin University students who live on campus are feeling increasingly unsafe after being confronted by strangers trespassing in residential areas. In one alarming night-time incident, an international student witnessed two men carrying a small axe which they used to chop through a lock to steal a bicycle from student housing on the Bentley campus. Curtin student guild president Dylan Storer said he feared someone would be hurt if security was not improved — but repeated requests for better fencing, gates, lighting and cameras had so far been largely ignored. Mr Storer said while newer campus accommodation required a swipe card to enter, four of the older facilities were comprised of widespread apartment blocks set in expansive grounds. “Effectively, people can just walk in and wander around the grounds,” he said. “People deserve to be able to move about their home, or go to the laundry or common areas or gardens, with a reasonable level of expectation that strangers aren’t wandering about.” Around 1000 students live in the four older accommodation clusters — Guild House, Vickery House, Kurrajong Village and Erica Underwood House. Vickery House residents Connie Butcher, Ebony Whitney and Jael Wafula said trespassers often walked through the grounds because there was no fence and very little public lighting. “Strangers come around, knock on the door,” Ms Whitney said. “It’s quite scary. “I’m nervous about living here. I don’t go outside at night on my own. There’s simple things like lighting that doesn’t get fixed until you make multiple complaints.” Even though the single-storey Vickery House dwellings are some of Curtin’s cheapest, students still pay around $250 a week for a bedroom, with bathroom and kitchen facilities shared between up to eight people. “We’re all paying so much to live here, we deserve a basic right to feel safe,” Ms Whitney said. The international student, who asked not to be named, said he had been woken by clanking noises outside Guild House around 4am on April 25. “I just looked out the window and I saw two men, one of them holding a small axe, just like chopping up the bike chains,” he said. A spokesperson for Curtin University said it was committed to ensuring all students felt safe. “We are aware of some recent localised incidents near Bentley student accommodations,” the spokesperson said. “We’ve worked closely with WA Police regarding these and understand the individuals involved were young locals known to them. “CCTV footage captured by our external camera network is routinely shared with police to help in their investigations. Sadly, these community-wide issues are not unique to on-campus accommodations. Nevertheless, in response we’ve increased security patrols and on-site presence. “All residents have been provided with information on available safety services, including our 24/7 SafeZone app, on-campus escort service and key emergency contacts. A social media safety campaign is also underway.” Student housing provider UniLodge acknowledged there had been “concerning” incidents involving “outside elements”, but said residents’ safety was a top priority. “UniLodge is actively addressing the security concerns through our 24/7 staffing and ongoing education on personal safety and security for our residents,” it said in a statement. “In addition, we are working collaboratively with Curtin University to ensure enhanced CCTV monitoring and security patrols are delivered.” “We welcome and encourage ongoing feedback from anyone with concerns, and we will continue to work with residents and the university to achieve a safer community.”