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University funds first police officer

Published 2 November 2009

The university is part-funding a Sussex Police liaison officer to work full-time with the university and students on all of its five campuses.

PC Donna Bagguley (pictured right), who has spent more than 12 years policing in Brighton and Hove, will be offering advice to students on personal safety, crime prevention and community issues.

Police Community Support Officer Jayne Whitfield has been working with the university but this is the first time the university has funded its own PC.

Donna will be working closely with Kevin Mannall, the university's community liaison officer, who said: "Donna is based at Crowhurst Road police station in Hollingbury, Brighton, close to my offices in the Exion 27 building."

"We will be liaising on community safety, getting helpful messages across to students, and Donna will be playing an important role in managing community-based issues."

"Donna will not be confined to just our Brighton campuses at Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb and Falmer. She will be just as active at our other sites, in Eastbourne and Hastings, and at our halls of residence."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "We enjoy a good working relationship with the university and this initiative will forge an even closer partnership for the benefit of all 21,000 students."

Donna has already made contact with the university's Students' Union through its magazine 'Pebble', and she is now an active member of a university web-based Local Action Team, made up of local residents and organisations and designed to air and resolve community issues.

Donna said: "I have spoken to some students at halls about noise issues and they have been receptive and positive."

"In fact, I've had a good reception from students everywhere. I attended the university's recent freshers fairs at Brighton race course and in Eastbourne and several of the students I met came back to me later to discuss issues."

"I am happy to talk any time. There may be organisations or societies which need advice, or people worried about the security of their vehicles, laptops and mobile phones, or who need advice on personal safety. I hope all students know now that I am here to help."

To contact Donna, call the Sussex Police non-emergency line, 0845 6070 999, extension 12551, or email donna.bagguley@sussex.pnn.police.uk or d.bagguley@brighton.ac.uk