Crime and Security

The University has a number of systems in place to ensure your safety, security and wellbeing. The Campus Security team work closely with their colleagues in Northumbria Police who have a police officer based at the University. The Campus Security team should be contacted in the first instance via their dedicated 24-hour control room.

Campus Security Team

We want all of our students to have the best possible university experience and are committed to your safety and wellbeing. 

We provide a full-time security service on both campuses that is accredited by Secured Environments. Secured Environments is a police certification scheme and is awarded to organisations who are able to show they have adopted six key principles for protecting themselves against crime.

The Campus Security Team keeps you safe by patrolling the campuses and operating the University-wide CCTV network which is monitored from our dedicated control centre on Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. The Security Team can be contacted 24/7, 365 days a year on 0191 515 2028.

Campus Police

The University has a full-time campus Police Officer, PC Daniel McGwinn. Daniel is based on campus and works closely with security and all members of the University community. He can be contacted on 0191 515 3999, by email at campus.police@sunderland.ac.uk or in person on campus.

Services available

University Security and the Campus Police are happy to give advice and guidance to anyone in the University community. They can offer advice by phone, email or face to face and can even provide a free briefing if you, your classmates or any other group would like specific advice on:

• Alcohol/substance misuse
• Consent
• Burglary prevention
• Parking
• Cycle safety
• Vehicle safety
• Anti-social behavior
• Drink spiking
• Fraud/scams
• Personal safety
• Protecting your identity
• Safety on social media
• Travelling by taxi/private hire vehicle
• Assistance from the library to your vehicle/Metro station at night

Campus Security and Campus police hold regular security awareness events throughout the year. Look out for events and drop by to meet the team.

Reporting an incident or crime

There are a number of systems in place to allow any victim of crime, witness to an incident, or witness to suspicious or unusual activity to report their concerns to the University Security team. This service is 24/7 and reports can be made by:

• Calling the Security team on 0191 515 2028
• Calling the Campus Police on 0191 515 3999
• Emailing the Campus Police campus.police@sunderland.ac.uk
• In person with the Security team or Campus Police
• Make an anonymous report online
• In an emergency always call 999

Safety items

You can request a personal alarm and/or a cycle lock, free of charge by contacting Campus Police or Campus Security.

Property marking

The Campus Police and University Security can provide advice, and equipment free of charge to help you mark your property. Contact campus.police@sunderland.ac.uk to arrange this.

Student Campus Watch

The Student Campus Watch Society are actively involved in working with the community and our security services in providing advice and preventing crime. Student Campus Watch can provide guidance and support on security and safety issues and can also refer other students to professionals for specialist and confidential advice.

Hate Crime

The UK’s Race Relations Act is one of the most comprehensive laws against racial discrimination in the world and the University has a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and abuse. We have a formal procedure to assist any member of staff or student who feels they have been discriminated against. All students are given full details of the schemes and contacts when they enrol.

If you have any questions or concerns about safety and security at the University of Sunderland, please contact: 

Campus Police:
Tel: 0191 515 3999
Email: campus.police@sunderland.ac.uk

Campus Security:
Tel: 0191 515 2028

Security reception
Prospect Building
Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s