Looking at crime statistics it seems to be younger people who are the victims of crime more often than any other group. Cases of knife and gun crime may get the headlines but it is personal property theft, assualts and burglary that make up the bulk of the statistics.

West Yorkshire police have produced a series of crime reduction podcasts (six on the site so far) targeted at students. As younger people are the iPod and MP3 player generation seems a really smart move. The podcasts can be subscribbed to via RSS feed or played immediately as an audio file on any computer, MP3 player or 'smart phone' (often the very target of the crime!)

Looking at the podcasts some were produced last August and some December. Nothing since but it doesn't matter as the advice is 'evergreen' and will be as valuable next year as this. The style is straight talking and by the sound of it have real police - local accents and all - doing the talking. Showing the power of an integrated campaign they detail links to the police web site and extra information available. One also refers to the Crime Prevention roadshows that will be touring during what I assume would have been 'Freshers Week'. Again because it mentions things generically, without specific dates, it has not aged.

What is really great is that a number have been produced by students themselves. Advice from the police is fine but from a peer is even more impactful. On the podcast 'home page' reference is made to how students can provide content but sadly I could not find the details at the bottom of the page where it said it was (wonder if it was stolen? Sorry - bad taste joke I know!) Shame, a great idea to get students giving fellow students advice especially if they would be speaking from personal experience as a victim or near victim of crime.