DURHAM University has created a security community response team (CRT) to support local Covid-19 policing, as cases continue to rise among staff and students.

The CRT is supporting Durham Police by engaging with students, explaining to them the current local and national Covid-19 restrictions, and encouraging them to observe these.

The new service began on Friday 2nd October and two members of the CRT are now available from 8.30pm to 4.30am, seven nights a week.

The announcement came as the university's latest figures showed that 251 students and five members of staff had tested positive to Covid-19 since the beginning of term.

Members of the CRT will undertake pro-active patrols of student areas of the city and support in responding to incidents reported to the police.

The latter service is instigated through the police, so anyone observing potential Covid-19 breaches, including large gatherings and house parties, should continue to report them via the Durham Constabulary website live chat function or by calling the 101 non-emergency number.

The university is investing over £30,000 in the service.

Jeremy Cook, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (colleges and student experience) at Durham University, said: “We want to do everything possible to be a responsible University; a constructive partner and good neighbour in our City and community.

“We already provide significant financial support for a term-time police presence and Durham County Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens scheme.

“We are very pleased to be adding to these existing commitments by launching the University Security Community Response Team, as part of our ongoing effort to help keep everyone safe.”

When responding to an incident, the CRT will seek constructive engagement with students and offer advice on observing local and national Covid-19 restrictions.

They will also draw attention to the University’s Student Pledge, which has recently been updated to reflect Covid-19 guidelines and responsibilities and is linked to its formal disciplinary process, which carries expulsion from the University as its most extreme penalty.

Mr Cook said: “The vast majority of our students have responded to the local and national Covid-19 restrictions as responsible citizens and we are proud of them for doing so. However, when a student’s behaviour falls below the standards we would expect, we will take swift and decisive action to protect our students, staff and local community.”

Inspector Jason Mole, from Durham City Police, said: “This is another example of us working with our partners to help keep everyone safe during this pandemic.

“We will continue to engage with the public, explain the regulations and encourage people to act responsibly: if they don’t, we will move to enforcement.”

Amanda Healy, Durham’s Director of Public Health, said: “It is vital that we all follow the current local restrictions and work together to prevent the spread of coronavirus, reduce infection rates and protect the health of everyone in County Durham.

“I appreciate that the measures are challenging but we all have to do our bit to help each other to stay safe by following the latest regional rules and public health guidance. Washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering and social distancing all help to reduce the further spread of the virus and save lives.”

Alan Doig, the Vice-Chair of the City of Durham Parish Council, said he welcomed the initiative and its link to the firm and decisive disciplinary action that could follow.

He said the initiative will enhance the wider work being undertaken to address noise, anti-social behaviour and Covid-related breaches. He urged everyone to use 101 in support of this initiative and also to use the ‘Pinpoint’ map on the Parish Council’s website which was developed in partnership with Durham Students Union as a means of mapping these issues.

More broadly, the University has introduced a ‘yellow, amber, red’ warning system for Covid-19 breaches.

For more information, please see: www.durham.ac.uk/coronavirus/notices.