More thefts in Ethos
There have been at least two more thefts from the lockers in the Ethos sports centre. Two weeks ago Felix (1345) revealed the insecurity of the PIN code operated lockers, and we were reassured by College that the lockers are safe. However, thefts are still occurring. On Tuesday, 7 March, money and watches were stolen from two lockers while the students were playing squash.
Unlike the previous thefts when the entire contents of the lockers went missing, in these cases money was removed from wallets and the wallets replaced. Both students also had valueable watches taken. The victims, Andrew Butcher and Michael Hughes, re-opened their lockers with the same PIN code, which suggests that either the thief oversaw them entering the code or knew the over-riding master code.
Since Felix revealed the previous thefts the over-riding code has been changed, but not before many students had been made aware of the previous code. In fact four students have told Felix they knew the master code. These students discovered the code by watching Ethos staff opening their lockers with the code.
Butcher, a second year Biology student, heavily criticised Ethos, "I think the PIN system that the lockers use is ridiculous and incredibly insecure. In a crowded, busy changing room it is near impossible to conceal your PIN". Butcher and Hughes reported the theft to Ethos staff who filled out an incident report. Butcher asked the Ethos employee if there had been any other locker thefts to which the employee stated "no".
In related news, the belongings of James Pedder, who had over £1,000 of valuables stolen (1345), have been found. College is claiming that the items were not stolen and that it is a case of "an individual looking for his belongings in the wrong locker". The items were reportedly "found locked securely 12 lockers away from the one he believed he had used". Pedder told Felix he was "very surprised as I was sure it was in that locker".
Rupert Neate
Felix's View:
How many more thefts do there need to be before the Ethos management team swallows their pride and admits they made a mistake when choosing PIN-code lockers? Felix believes all the lockers should be removed immediately and replaced with the traditional lock and key version.
