Uni pays £50k to control its students

A UK university has become the first to hire marshals at a cost of £50,000 to control its students on drunken nights out.

Students from Warwick University have caused so much disturbance to residents while on nights out that the university has been forced to bring in marshals to control them, according to the The Courier.

Up to eight street marshals, provided by SafetyNet Security Group, will now patrol the streets of Leamington for the rest of the academic year between 11pm and 4am in a bid to minimise disturbance and get students home safely.

The scheme is being run in partnership with the university, its student union, Warwick District Council and Warwickshire Police in response to increasing complaints from residents.

Speaking to the The Courier, the university’s registrar Ken Sloan said: “We have agreed to fund the street marshals scheme in order to support our students living in Leamington and to respond positively to the concerns expressed by some members of the local community.

“The scheme is one of a number of investments the university is making in Leamington to the benefit of students and other residents.”

The scheme has been received positively by students since it was piloted last autumn.

The university’s student union president, Ben Sundell, said: “The marshals have been a friendly and reassuring presence, who have been on hand to help students get home safely, pass on welfare advice and provide a calmer environment on nights out.

“The fact that there is always a female marshal in every pair has also been particularly well received.”