Poor security exposed
Felix reporters break into nearly every hall
Over the last two weeks Felix has gained access to nearly every Imperial College hall of residence. Our investigation exposed gaping holes in the security of student residences. Felix reporters attempted to enter eight halls and gained access to all of them.
Shockingly, we gained access to Imperial's most prestigious residence, Beit Hall, just by pulling the doors open. In an even more serious lapse in security, a reporter was let into Nutford House, an intercollegiate hall, by the hall's own receptionist.
We entered the other halls by tailgating students, construction workers and even security officers. The officers themselves continually warn students of the dangers of tailgating, but it appears they are not heeding their own advice.
Martin Jackson, the warden of Bernard Sunley Hall and the warden responsible for security told Felix: "Tailgating happens. We try to instigate a culture against it. We try and drum it into them. It's an epidemic really. The message is getting through slowly."
Once inside halls, Felix reporters found dozens of empty rooms unlocked and valuables left unattended. In Beit Hall we found a handbag, complete with cash and credit cards left on a student's bed.
Our reporters could also have walked off with many expensive laptops, PC's and state-of-the-art stereo systems. In Fisher Hall we could have lifted a huge plasma screen TV from the common room.
During our week-long investigation, we were only challenged by other students twice. In Willis Jackson, we tailgated through the main entrance but were then left trapped in the lobby.
A student queried our presence, but when we said, we were "waiting for a friend", they were satisified and wandered off. A minute later a student allowed us to enter into the main part of the hall. Once inside, we found an unlocked study bedroom with a PC.
In Garden Hall, when we walked into a student's room and he queried our presence, we simply replied, "we're looking for Dave".
Several minutes later, walking down another corridor trying to prise open students' doors, the same student encountered us.
We expected the game was up, but he didn't say a word. The only person to successfully challenge our reporters and demand an ID was a cleaner in Beit.
Robin Doherty, a Southwell Hall student said: "It's disgraceful that it's so easy to enter rooms and take anything students possess. I blame students, they should learn to be more vigilant and lock their doors. At the same time, general hall security should also be increased."
The Felix Team
Felix's View:
Our investigation proves that hall security is far below par. Despite repeated warnings from wardens, security officers and this very newspaper, students are not taking security seriously.
When something goes missing, students are quick to blame College for providing inadequate security. Students do have a point: College could provide extra security measures, including installing a double set of swipe card doors in every hall.
Hall staff should also be less complacent over who is permitted to enter their halls.
However, the majority of blame lies with the students. You must all change your cavalier attitude to security. Our investigation may appear to be a funny little escapade but a thief could have quite easily stolen your stuff, or worse.
