SOUTHAMPTON students face disciplinary action and police patrols as universities try to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

University students found breaching Covid-19 rules may be disciplined, it has been revealed.

Both Southampton Solent University and the University of Southampton have also confirmed that police have step up patrols at student residences in the city.

But the institutions did not say whether students found breaching Covid-19 rules would be expelled.

The news follows a number of coronavirus outbreaks at universities across the country.

It comes after Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith asked civic chiefs to unveil their plans to manage the influx of students in the city.

MP calls for strategy to manage students

In a statement Solent University said: "Any students who break social distancing rules, or the guidance laid out in our Student Commitment or Student Charter, will first be educated on the importance of the measures to help them protect themselves and others. If further incidents take place, the University will move forward with its internal disciplinary procedures and make a report to the police that could result in a fixed penalty notice."

Vaios Koukouletsos, the president of Solent Student Union, said that if students breach the Covid-19 rules and the universities' joint commitment, the union "may be forced to invoke university disciplinary procedures, and that further offences may also lead to involvement from the police and a criminal record".

The university has also confirmed that there is an increased police presence at each of its student residences in the evenings and at weekends.

Police have also increased patrols at residences at the University of Southampton (UoS).

In a statement the university (UoS) said: "If students are found to be falling short of the standards we expect from them, we will invoke disciplinary procedures as appropriate."

The university said the actions taken would depend on the circumstances of the individual incident.

Both universities have also confirmed that they would follow disciplinary procedure for staff should that be needed.