A COUNCILLOR has praised the University of Worcester (UoW) for tackling late night noise issues during freshers week including having staff hand out lollipops to students as they walk home.

County and city councillor for St John's, Richard Udall, said he only received two noise complaints from residents during Welcome Week, which started on September 16, “which is unheard of.”

The university is working “actively to encourage all students to behave in a sensible and courteous manner”, said a spokesman.

Cllr Udall said he has been told security staff were standing on Sabrina Bridge handing out lollipops to the students returning in the early hours after nights out in the city centre.

“I have heard various clubs do something similar to encourage people to keep the noise down as they come out,” he said.

“If that’s what’s working [for the university] then brilliant, it’s worth doing. Whatever they are doing they are doing right. I have asked them to continue.”

The councillor went on to say: “We will never get rid of the problem completely but it is a big step. I have noticed in recent years that the university is more responsive to these sorts of complaints and has worked quickly to resolve them.”

A UoW spokesman said: “The university and Students’ Union actively encourage all students to behave in a sensible and courteous manner.

“Together we run a number of campaigns at the start of the new academic year to help new students settle in to life away from home for the first time, and remind returning students to ensure they act in a neighbourly and considerate way.

“Our security team and PCSOs have been out in key areas during Welcome Week and our new night bus service also provides students with a safe and affordable means of getting home in the evening.

“Giving out lollipops each year is a small part of that wider proactive programme.

“We’re pleased that this year’s campaign has been very positively received,” they added.

The new night bus service, called 31N, aims to provide a safe and affordable option for getting home from the city centre to the St John’s area for both students and the public.

The university is subsidising the service, which runs Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights until December 14.