A student’s message about staying safe will find a wider audience when his film is screened at the Cornerhouse Cinema in Manchester.
Paddy Littlewood, 21, won first prize in a competition organised by Manchester City Council, and his film – Don’t Be A Mug – will now be shown before screenings at the Oxford Road cinema.
The film features tips on how students can use common sense to avoid becoming victims of crime, such as not going out at night on their own and always remembering to lock doors.
Students from across the city were invited to flex their creative muscles by editing their own short films, as part of a campaign encouraging students to think more carefully about their safety.
The winner was chosen from a panel including Greater Manchester Police and City Council representatives.
Paddy, who is studying chemical engineering at the University of Manchester , also won a laptop as part of his prize. He said: "I’ve got friends who have been mugged and so it’s very important to get the message across, and anything that helps people think about it has got to be a good thing.
"I’ve kept it as light hearted as possible, and just want people to realise they don’t have to be worried, they just have to use common sense."
Councillor Jim Battle, Manchester City Council’s deputy leader, said: "Paddy’s film takes some practical pieces of advice and puts them across in an entertaining way, and I hope other students and visitors to the Cornerhouse will take the film’s message on board."
Chief Inspector Neil Bhole, of Greater Manchester Police’s Metropolitan division, said: "We hope that because this film has been designed by students, it will make other students stop, think and ultimately, take steps to protect themselves and what they own."
To view the winning film, or to pick up more tips about staying safe, visit –
