A NEW police Facebook page has been launched to help keep students at York’s universities safe and secure.

Police are taking to the social network to offer students support and advice in an attempt to keep them from becoming victims of crime.

Inspector Andy Godfrey, of York Police, said: “Students at York’s universities are coming to the safest area in the country. However, living away from home for the first time can be quite a culture shock, and it’s really important that they follow simple crime prevention steps to keep themselves and their property safe.

“Our team will use the new Facebook page to share safety tips, crime alerts and details of opportunities to get their property marked. It’s also a great place for students to get to know their local officers and PCSOs in case they do ever need to get in touch with us.”

The NYP Universities page is online at facebook.com/NYPUnis, and anyone attending university in York is invited to ‘like’ it and get to know their local police team. The page complements the existing NYP Universities Twitter account, at twitter.com/NYPYorkUnis.

Students – and their parents – are also invited to use the force’s web app, NYP@Uni, which features property security checklists; videos about burglary and identity theft; and step-by-step guides to personal safety. To download NYP@Uni for free, visit uni.nyp.mobi on any phone, tablet or PC.

In 2014, North Yorkshire Police’s online communications campaign to keep students safe was a finalist in the Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Personal Safety Awards.