The 16 break-ins happened across the county, including one in Runnymede where the front passenger window of a black Citroen C15 was smashed with cash and a handbag taken. The incident occurred between 5.30 and 6.30pm on 24 January 2012 on Guildford Road, Chertsey.

Detective Inspector Stewart Leahy, of Staines CID, said: “Surrey Police is taking the recent spate of thefts from vehicles very seriously and we are doing everything possible to bring the offenders to justice. However, we need the public to be our eyes and ears in the community and inform us of any suspicious activity so that we can take positive action swiftly.”

Surrey Police have advised residents to not leave on items on display when leaving vehicles unattended, including cigarettes and loose change. Car owners should also empty the glove box and leave it open to discourage opportunist thieves. At night, a car should be left in either a garage or a well-lit street.

Anyone with information on a theft from a motor vehicle should contact Surrey Police on 101, or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.

A number of protesters managed to gain access to a British Gas building shortly before 9am on Monday 30 January 2012. The protestors, from Heat or Eat, barricaded themselves in the offices as part of the ‘Winter Warm-Up’ weekend, action called by the campaign group Fuel Poverty Action. In total it is believed that six activists are in the building, with a small number also outside.

The group is protesting against the rising cost of fuel, especially the prices charged by the ‘big six’ energy companies. They claim that there are a significant number of deaths each year linked to fuel poverty, and that many families are faced with the choice between food and central heating.

Hannah Edler, a participant, said: “Heat or Eat is a choice no-one should have to face. The Big Six energy companies are raking in record profits while our bills rise, and thousands die unable to heat their homes. We’re here to put ourselves in the way of this shameless profiteering.”

Heat or Eat plan to stream live video of the occupation on the internet, including a live comedy quiz which viewers can participate in via Twitter. In response to the occupation, a British Gas spokesperson said: “We recognise the impact that higher energy prices are having on household budgets. That’s why British Gas has announced a series of measures to help customers through the winter, including a cut in electricity prices, a hold on prices overall, free insulation and help for eligible customers to claim the Warm Homes Discount.”

Surrey Police commented on the matter, saying that they “are working closely with British Gas to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible”.

Mari Burton

Doug German

Ruth Nicholson

Vice President (Education and Welfare)

Katie Blow

Kenny Aruwa

Carl Welch

Vice President (Communications and Campaigns)

Jamie Green

Louie Woodall

Vice President (Student Activities)

Lydia Heywood

Ed Resek

Ian Stewart

Trustee:

Daniel Brewer

George Papamargaritis

Oli Rushby

The store was cordoned off throughout the day as detectives and forensic teams worked to collect evidence. Detective Constable Brett Harris of Staines CID has told The Orbital that CCTV footage is still being reviewed, but that they ask anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

The suspects have been described as all men, wearing dark clothing, with their faces covered. A member of the group was riding a bicycle at the time of the robbery, however the group made off on foot towards Staines Bridge following the crime.

DC Harris states that “this is a serious offence which affects the town centre community in Staines and we are doing everything possible to identify those responsible.”

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference SL/12/510, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

Witnesses reported seeing armed police preventing civilians from entering a section of the street, in what was described by Surrey Police as a ‘proactive firearms operation’.

Police arrested three men at the scene, one from Egham and two from London, who were taken into police custody. It is not clear why police initially raided the vehicle, but in a statement a Surrey Police spokesperson said that no firearm was found and all three men have been released with no action taken.

I just believe in being whoever you are, be it a chino-wearing, rabbit-walking, pipe-smoking eccentric or a jeans and t-shirt-wearing X-factor enthusiast. We seem to live in a culture of exclusion where we label people like we label music; how about forgetting that and just being a human being? What’s wrong with people wearing clothes that they think other people will appreciate to feel better about socialising? Is it any different from women that feel more comfortable socialising when wearing make-up? If people want to
have the image of ‘being a kooky academic’, let them, if people want to wear ‘way too tight skinny jeans’ or items ‘bought off a stall in Camden’, what the hell is wrong with that? You ask ‘Why don’t you get on with having fun?’ but if sitting in Crosslands or Stumble Inn chatting with my mates about theatre or ‘the meaning of life in relation to quantum physics’ isn’t your idea of fun, it doesn’t mean I should listen to your imperative notion of ‘real things’. I’ve always found the people I get on with the best are so varied in their interests and passions because they’re their own people. They might fall into the generic genres that young people like to use, but not out of intention. Even if they did, as long as they’re happy, I don’t see a problem.

Everyone changes when they get to university, you learn more about yourself as you grow up, you discover academic interests that, at school, you’d have thought were insanely geeky to like. There is a certain naivety to think that you won’t find eccentric academics at a university, especially one as fantastic as ours. If you really can’t bear those people, don’t talk to them, you’re wasting your own time, not theirs. If you think people can put that much effort into pretending to be kooky, you need to address your level of social paranoia (or you don’t if you enjoy being that way). Rather than ask people to stop ‘wasting your time trying to ram [their] actually somewhat average intelligence down people’s throats’ why don’t you follow that principle with a more mature view and accept that everyone is free to be what you’d call a ‘hipster’ just as you’re free to chill out and talk about the X-factor. In fact, I might go to Founders this second and walk my rabbit, listen to JLS on my iPod while smoking a herbal cigarette and reading Hello! magazine…

Locals reported seeing several armed officers preventing locals from entering the area, which is now open for public access again.

Officers carried out several arrests at the scene, with many remaining in custody while enquiries continue. Surrey Police are unable to comment further on the matter at this time.

Zara has been described by the College as “a bright and well-liked student” who will be “deeply missed”. Sympathies and condolences are offered to friends and family, and the Support and Advisory Service is available to offer any support needed to students at this difficult time.

The Drama and Theatre Studies Department intends to commemorate Zara’s life appropriately in due course. The Orbital will be keeping readers updated as further details emerge.

Support and Advisory Services:
Helen/Sarah – 01784 443394/443394
SupportAndAdvisory@rhul.ac.uk

This is the second of two part time job fairs run by Royal Holloway Careers Service each academic year, with attendances at both having been exceptionally high.  19 different companies offered opportunities in retail, education, hospitality, and even gap year opportunities and projects over the summer.

Rose Hackett, Head of Operations and Employer Engagement at the Careers Service, said “We were really pleased with the number of students, the quality of students enquires and the growing relationship the university has with a wide variety of part time employers.”

If you missed the events, the Careers Service can still help you find a part time job.  Vacancies from local employers are advertised on the Careers Facebook Page, Twitter feed and also on the website at www.rhul.ac.uk/careers.  Alternatively, call into the Careers Service in the Horton Building between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday to find out more about the employers and vacancies advertised at the fair and how to find yourself a part time job.

The bus tour will last for around an hour and a guide will talk though the progress that’s been made, point out the buildings and points of interest. The College will pay for train tickets into London and the winners need to meet at the tour accreditation centre at Pudding Mill Lane at 9:30am. You will need to bring photographic ID which will be checked by security on arrival. The name on the ID must be identical to the name provided in advance.

To be in with a chance of winning please email intranet@rhul.ac.uk with a line explaining why you are looking forward to the 2012 Games. Emails must be received no later than 5pm on Tuesday 17^th January. Please include a contact number so details can be finalised and so relevant information can be passed on to the London Olympic 2012 Organising Committee.