University of Otago students have earned the praise of Dunedin emergency services following a turnaround in behaviour.
Nevertheless, North Dunedin streets known as couch fire hot spots are to be targeted by the fire service next year.
Both police and the fire service have reported significant reductions in student related callouts for the North Dunedin area.
Wilful damage offences and couch fires in the North Dunedin area have reduced by one-third, with the University of Otago Campus Watch earning praise for its proactive patrolling of the campus area.
Dunedin-Clutha police area commander Inspector Dave Campbell said the notable improvement in student behaviour this year could be attributed to several factors.
The presence of Campus Watch, the closure of the student pub the Gardies, and the cancellation of the toga parade and Undie 500 - events which had previously sparked scenes of disorder - had contributed to an "improvement in behaviour".
Insp Campbell also singled out the university's code of student conduct, and the positive support and leadership of the Otago University Students Association as helping change behaviour.
While other areas of Dunedin recorded slight changes in wilful-damage offences, North Dunedin's has fallen to 291 for the year ending June 30 from 418 the previous year.
Wilful-damage offences included letterboxes and fences being smashed and bottles being thrown, and were often reported by members of the public, making it one of the best ways to gauge student behaviour, he said.
The improvement in behaviour around the student quarter was pleasing, given the numbers studying at Otago University had been increasing, and Insp Campbell stressed students were seldom involved in serious crimes,Willowbank Senior Station Officer Craig Geddes said the fire service had noticed a "steady decline" in fires, with 137 outside rubbish, couch and bonfires recorded for the year ending November 16, compared with an average 220 during the past four years.
"With no Undie 500 this year, it appears this has contributed to a downward trend on student-related fires. However, alcohol is the ingredient that still plays a major factor in the majority of fires attended by the fire service," Mr Geddes said.
He singled out the Campus Watch team for a deserved "pat on the back" for its professionalism, and assistance in preventing or putting out small fires and keeping details of any incidents.
"Again by not allowing the Undie 500 to go ahead, this has removed the opportunity for students and hangers-on to create the same level of mayhem."
Mr Geddes confirmed the fire service would still be reviewing its strategy, with the majority of fires "in the same streets year after year".
Castle St North (177 fires), Leith St North (58), Hyde St (55), Dundas St (53), Clyde St (46) and Grange St (39), accounted for just under half of all fires, with 428 recorded.
Numbers could be reduced further by visiting flats in the worst affected streets to offer fire safety tips, and to remind residents of the possible cost to the community of tying up resources.
The fire service would also visit student colleges, where false alarms had been recorded over the years, usually from the generous application of spray deodorants or hairspray.
The fire service would, also continue to work with Campus Watch, university and community partners "to significantly reduce student-related incidents"The Otago Daily Times contacted the University of Otago on Wednesday for comment on "improved student behaviour", but had not received a response by last night.
A 19-year-old Otago Polytechnic student will appear in the Dunedin District Court today after he was caught allegedly lighting a couch fire in North Dunedin earlier this week.
Police alleged the man was seen lighting the fire in Dundas St about 1am on Tuesday.
He has been charged with disorderly behaviour.
