With winter exams just around the corner, Campus Protection Services (CPS) urge students to remain vigilant when it comes to their personal belongings, especially in libraries, residences and examination venues.

"We tend to see an increase in residence thefts during this period," explained CPS operations manager Vincent Ricketts. "Criminals are aware that the residences are less busy while students are writing exams and they take advantage of this to gain access to rooms. Students must remember to lock their doors and secure their windows, even when stepping out for a brief period of time." Ricketts pointed out that in bigger exam venues, students are asked to place their bags on the floor in front of their desks, while in smaller venues personal belongings are placed at the front of the room.

"During exam time we deploy our staff accordingly but we suggest that students take as little as possible with them to the venues," he said.

CPS are pleased to report that a male suspect, who was previously spotted trespassing and loitering at Glenres, was recently apprehended after a CPS officer recognised him from a photograph. He was handed over to the Rondebosch police.

In a recent advisory letter to staff and students the vice-chancellor, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, asked for vigilance and informed the university community of an alleged rape in the first week of April in the P4 parking lot south of the rugby fields.

The student concerned has not laid charges with either the police or CPS. It is understood that the student sought support outside the university on condition of strict confidentiality and anonymity.

The university community is once again reminded to be on the lookout for two vehicles that have been spotted on campus and may be linked to several vehicle-related crimes in the area. Staff and students should keep an eye out for a white Mazda 323 with registration number CFR 83243 (normally occupied by four males) and a light metallic green Toyota Cressida with registration number CA 539401 (normally occupied by three males).

Should you see these vehicles either on or off campus, please report it immediately to CPS on tel 650 2222/3 or notify a patrolling officer.

CPS would like to take this opportunity to wish students the best of luck for the forthcoming exams.