Subash Viroomal
20 November 2007
Anger over the mass locker break-in on Monday 5 November continues to simmer.
The School has yet to reach a decision on how to resolve the problem of ‘non-coin operated’ locker security. The Beaver has also learnt that a number of laptops were snatched in the raid, in addition to the wallets, watches and phones reported stolen last week.
One first year international student, who had her laptop stolen from a locker in the basement of Old Building, said that she is “very depressed and disappointed” by the theft and the School’s response to the problem.
After reporting her theft to LSE Security, she was told that she would be called for a meeting “to decide further plans and keep me notified”. Despite revisiting the security desk in the Old Building regularly, she has yet to receive any satisfactory updates on the situation.
She added: “I know the School will use the excuse claiming that they put the notice of ‘don’t put your valuable stuff in the locker’, but I still think the School should take more responsibilities.
“I feel especially disappointed that LSE has not taken over its responsibilities and shown that the School cares about its students…my words to others about the LSE would not be positive.”
An LSE spokesperson sought to allay student fears about the lockers situation on Friday, stating that “a strategic review of existing locker arrangements is taking place”.
Last week, LSESU Communications Officer Kayt Berry called for new lockers, “preferably with some sort of swipe system and CCTV”. After taking the matter to the School-Students’ Union Liaison Committee (SSULC), Berry was informed that the SSULC was not “the correct forum to discuss the situation” and referred to Security who are investigating the matter.
The School stated that: “it seems clear that simply buying new lockers would not be an adequate solution; nor would installing CCTV”, though the spokesperson did not expand on the reasons for this.