Leeds Beckett security guard quits claiming partying students put his ‘life at risk’

A Leeds Beckett security guard has resigned after feeling unsafe due to students ignoring lockdown rules.

The security guard worked across various Leeds Beckett accommodations and said the university had failed to control its students in line with government restrictions.

He claimed the university did little to support security guards who were tasked with dispersing students breaking coronavirus restrictions. The security guard said students would frequently verbally abuse him as he tried to break up parties and gatherings.

He told LeedsLive he works for UPP, a third party hire, but the university offered little support: “There’s little we can do. The university has given us no support. I’m not of the security hired directly by the university – instead I’m a third party hire that the university uses to get more guards in.

“But it reached a point where I had to hand my notice in. I felt like I was risking my life and those of my friends and family. Someone in my household has had a transplant, they are high risk. I couldn’t put them at risk.

“We had the police called numerous times, but they had their hands tied in what they could do. Since then, we had to shut the laundry at 9pm as we had parties being held in there, with over 100 people crammed in.

“Without the support of the university actually making students adhere to the regulations, we were all at risk.”

The guard said his training was inadequate, and only covered logging incidents of rule breaches, not handling breaking up gatherings and dispersing crowds in this new climate.

He said: “During the training, I asked if stab proof vests were available or any form of additional protection.

“We were having to break up fights, receive abuse and yet we were left on our own.

“We had become the university’s front line in attempting to get students to adhere to the national lockdown and the tier rules, but we became powerless.”

A UPP spokesperson said: “The health and wellbeing of residents living in student accommodation that we manage on behalf of universities and our own staff is the highest priority and of paramount importance to us.

“UPP is contracted to manage halls of residence and security at a number of residences for Leeds Beckett University including, Kirkstall Brewery.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, UPP has followed Government guidance to ensure its rooms at Leeds Beckett University halls of residence have been able to remain open and available to students.

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“Our teams are maintaining safe and secure accommodation, assessed by the British Safety Council for its Covid-secure standards, and they are also provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.

“In the event that residents do not follow the Government’s guidance for universities, our teams are responsible for issuing warnings and notifying Leeds Beckett University so that appropriate action can be taken.

“With our University partners, we are supporting students who remain in our accommodation, prioritising their health and wellbeing.

“We are ensuring that residents have access to Mental Health First Aid-trained teams and have moved our student experience activities and ‘Home at halls’ residence life programme online.”

Last week, Leeds Beckett students held a large party, with videos shared on social media captioned “Boris said what?” and “What was that Boris ahahaha”.

This resulted in one student calling out LBU: “I’m fed up of them turning a blind eye to it and actively putting their students at risk. It’s disgusting.”

Leeds Beckett University has been approached for comment by LeedsLive, and are reportedly investigating the security guard’s claims.

The university previously said in relation to students ignoring social distancing rules: “The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and the wider community is of the highest priority to us.

“All students have been made aware of and are regularly reminded of their personal and collective responsibility when it comes to safety, social distancing and government guidelines on covid-19.

“Where concerns are raised with regards to any breaches of the rules we act swiftly to thoroughly investigate and take action as necessary in line with our student code of conduct.”

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