Students living in Fallowfield say they are ‘too scared to walk the streets at night’ claiming crime is ‘out of hand’ as they urge police to make the suburb safer.

Campaigners claim there has been an increase in violent attacks on young people in the area and burglaries in recent weeks.

A man was stabbed multiple times during a vicious attack on Brailsford Road on Saturday, September 30. The 21-year-old needed hospital treatment after he was knifed in the leg and arm by a group of men shortly after 4.10am.

In another incident a student has described the terrifying moment he was attacked with a crowbar during an early hours knifepoint robbery on Thursday morning.

While a young woman student has told how a burglar scaled a wall and clambered through the window of her shared house before strolling out through the front door.

A petition, signed by almost 6,000 people, is calling on police to make the area safe for student residents.

Police admit that there is traditionally a spike in crime in the area during the first weeks of the university term.

But senior officers say they have ramped up patrols and will be ‘relentless’ in pursuing criminals who target students.

But petition organiser Matthew Harvison says increased action is necessary.

The University of Manchester student plans to hand his petition in to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham - who has promised to raise concerns with the Chief Constable.

“I know multiple people who have been burgled and there are social media posts every day from people saying they’ve been targeted by burglars or the victim of a violent attack,” said Matthew.

“Enough is enough. We need to make a collective student voice.”

Third year student Matthew, 20, claims students living in multi-occupancy accommodation in Fallowfield, Withington and Rusholme are at most risk.

He said: “When police talk about giving out advice they’re talking about the Manchester uni halls. They are disregarding second and third year students going into private accommodation. They are the worst hit.

“If anything it’s just to raise awareness and make students feel safer. Right now they feel neglected by police.”

In a passionate message shared on campaigning site change.org Matthew claims the number of burglaries in the area is ‘out of hand’ and says many students are ‘scared to walk the streets at night’.

He wrote: “Whether you are a student living in Fallowfield, a concerned parent of a Manchester student, a resident of Fallowfield and the surrounding area or you yourself have been burgled in Fallowfield, sign and share this petition to help make a change!

“Fallowfield has always been a target for house burglaries and crime, however over the past few months and more specifically since the start of the latest academic year, the problem has become out of hand.

“University is a time for fun and the first steps into adulthood for many young people, as well as a time for study and to maintain a hard work ethic. How can we achieve any of this with the constant worry of our homes being burgled or being scared to walk the streets at night?

“This petition represents the student body of Fallowfield and our voice needs to be heard!”

(Image: Google)

Last month police reported that a group of teenagers had been targeting students around Wilmslow Road, Platt Lane and Platt Fields park.

The group took iPhones, iPods and iPads, as well as other electronic devices and money and sometimes used weapons to threaten violence.

Greater Manchester Police advised students to avoid the Platt Fields entrance when walking alone.

There were 133 crimes reported in the student suburb in August, according to the latest available figures.

That includes 29 reports of violence and sexual offences, 15 burglaries, three robberies and six thefts from a person.

Matthew’s petition has been backed by thousands of people, including students, residents and the parents of those living in the city.

Several have commented on the petition website to express their concerns about crime levels in Fallowfield.

Izzy Lewis wrote: “I shouldn’t have to feel scared walking home any time after 7pm”

While Kirsty Barr commented: “I am a student at UoM living in fallowfield and feel uncomfortable with the level of crime and the complete lack of police presence.”

Meanwhile parents, such as Dawn Williams, have also expressed concern.

She wrote: “My daughter is a student at Manchester Met and living in student accommodation there too. I want to know she is safe!!!”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he will contact Matthew to understand more about the experiences and concerns of students.

He added: “Our vast and thriving student communities bring so much to our city-region and I want all students to be able to make the most of their time here.

“Everyone in Greater Manchester has the right to feel safe in their local area and that includes our students.

“I take the concerns that have been raised by students in Fallowfield seriously. I will be discussing what action we’re taking to reassure residents with my Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime as well as the Chief Constable.”

Chief Inspector Caroline Hemmingway, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “The students across Manchester add to the vibrancy of the city, unfortunately they are also susceptible to becoming victims of crime. Each term they bring with them thousands of pounds worth of valuables, which is why we would urge them to look after themselves by considering their own safety.

“By following some simple steps such as being discrete when using mobile phones in public, locking windows and doors at the front and back of properties as well as keeping valuables out of sight in and out of the home they can prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime.

“Our officers on Division work closely with our partners at the university, Manchester Student Homes and the city council to ensure students are able to enjoy the city without fear. These simple measures mean that they can concentrate on enjoying university life and having fun.

“I would like to take this opportunity to advise those students who have recently arrived in the city about staying safe when out and about. I would encourage any students in Manchester to view our series of safety videos on our website covering all areas of crime.

“We want to send a clear message to any offender wanting to target students that we will be relentless in our pursuit to bring them to justice and will continue working hard to reduce any opportunities for them. As part of our student safe operation we have increased our patrols in and around the campus area and this will be in place throughout term time and beyond.”

'We were attacked by thugs wielding a crowbar and knife'

A University of Manchester student has spoken about the terrifying moment he and two friends were robbed at knifepoint.

The business student, who asked the M.E.N not to publish his name, was walking home from a night out when he was approached on Egerton Road at around 3.30am on Thursday October 5.

One friend managed to escape but the 22-year-old and his pal were held up by thugs wielding a crowbar and a knife.

“It was two guys in hoodies and one had his face covered. He looked like a total ninja,” he said.

“I looked up and saw one of the guys holding a crowbar. The other guy had grabbed my friend and had a knife pointed at his belly.

“I said ‘I’m not giving you anything’ and he hit on my left ear with the crowbar.

“I stood my ground and he tried to hit me a few more times but I managed to block him.

“They wanted to freak us out. He said ‘my friend has got beef with you’. Then they both tried to attack me at the same time. One of them scratched me on the shoulder with the knife.”

At this point the duo ran off and drove away in a car leaving the student with a swollen left ear and a grazed shoulder.

He said: “You could see they were lowlifes trying to use scare tactics.

“This is my fourth year living in Fallowfield and it’s so much worse now. They have never been so daring before.

“I’m quite a big person and so are my friends. Who dares attack three boys? It’s very daring.”

GMP said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

'Living in Fallowfield is not the safe place it should be'

Anna Broomby and her roommates were all at home in Fallowfield when an intruder clambered up the wall and crept in through an open window at around 3pm on Wednesday October 4.

Law and Criminology student Anna, 21, says her housemate Chris left his room for no longer than five minutes. But when he returned he found that his laptop, wallet, watch and phone had all been taken.

He used the iPhone tracker to locate his phone and found it dumped outside the house next door.

Second year student Anna said police scoured the house but could not find any fingerprints.

“The police said there had been a few reports of burglaries on our road and someone had reported seeing someone climbing up the wall at the back of the house,” she said.

“Police think they came through Chris’ bedroom window and then walked out of the front door.

“It was just horrible because it’s a real violation of our privacy.

“At the moment living in Fallowfield it’s just not the safe place that it should be as a student area. I’m not aware of other student areas in the UK being quite so bad.

“I don’t think anyone should be made to feel unsafe in their own home.”

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