When you’re out and about, follow these tips in order to maximise your safety:

• Ensure you and your friends talk about where you’re going, who you’re going with and how you plan to get home.
• Look out for your friends when you’re out – are they safe? Are they ok to be travelling home drunk on their own? It may be frustrating when one member of the group peaks too early – but the safety of you and your friends comes first!
• Don’t walk home alone! Ensure that any walking home is done in a group, and stick to well-lit, main roads.
• Ensure you all have phones on you and that they’re charged – make sure you have each other’s numbers saved too.
• Agree a meeting point in case you lose each other whilst out
• If you are cornered or feel threatened when walking home, attract attention by screaming, shouting or using a personal alarm
• If someone grabs your bag or makes threats or demands to gain something from you, then let them have it without a struggle. These items can be replaced – your safety is the priority.

Did you know? Many unis have student staff who are present at some nightclubs/events or are dotted around the city to ensure students are safe whilst out and are able to get home safely. Where these services aren’t available, there are generally other safety alternatives:

• University of Nottingham – Nottingham Night Owls (student volunteers) patrol the city on Wednesday and Thursday nights in term-time.
• Nottingham Trent University – The Student’s Union are affiliated with several nightclubs in Nottingham who have dedicated welfare teams on site, these include: Rock City, Ocean, Stealth and Unit 13 – as well as NTU venues such as the Student Union.
• University of Leeds SafeZone app – This app is linked to the Security Team who are on call 24/7 and has various functions for different situations where you may need urgent (or non-urgent) support or advice. This includes a First Aid function and an Emergency button for situations where you may be in immediate danger as well as a ‘check-in timer’ where you can set a timer if you’re in an uncomfortable situation – if security do not hear from you when the timer runs out, they will ensure you’re safe.
• You can also utilise the Safe Places National Network and App
• Street Pastor Volunteers also operate in Nottingham and Leeds on Friday and Saturday nights to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the local community.
• Remember – ALWAYS contact emergency services (999) if you or somebody else is in danger.

Getting Home

Most Universities have schemes set up with local taxi services so that should students find themselves in an unsafe situation, unable to get home or without money to get home safely, they can get a taxi home that can be paid for at a later date. You will need to show your student card/provide your student ID number.

• University of Nottingham: DG Taxi’s 0115 950 0500 Emergency Taxi Scheme
• Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Cars 0115 970 0700 Safe Taxi Scheme
• Leeds Beckett: Amber Taxi’s 0113 202 2117 Student Safe Taxi Scheme
• University of Leeds: 0113 2311 366 Student Safe Taxi Scheme

Leeds University Union also run a night bus service – more details can be found here.

What to Do if You’re Feeling Unsafe or Uncomfortable

• Ask for Angela - This is an initiative that has now rolled out across a significant number of bars, restaurants and venues in the UK – it is a well-recognized phrase and scheme. Individuals who find them self in a situation where they feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discretely seek help by asking staff for ‘Angela’. Using this code-phrase allows staff to support the individual and assist them in finding a safe space. Be sure to Ask for Angela if you ever find yourself in a situation like this!
• Contact Staff, Security or Emergency Services – there are discreet ways to seek help if you feel that you’re in danger. For example, if you call 999 but are unable to talk or answer questions, press 55 when prompted and your call will be automatically be transferred to the Police. If you’re a University of Leeds student the check-in timer can be used to help gain support – however if you feel unsafe or are in danger, please call 999.
• Call your friends out – if you see your friends acting in a way that could be causing others to feel uncomfortable, ensure you nip this in the bud by calling your friends out on this. For example, have their advances been rejected but they’re still trying? If so, call them out!
• Use Personal Safety Apps – for example, Hollie Guard app. This app has numerous functions such as an alert setting which can activate your camera and notify your defined emergency contact. There is also a meeting timer, evidence gathering functions and tracking of your location and journeys.

If you have been a victim of crime or have witnessed a crime, we would always encourage you to report this to the Police using 999 or 101. Remember, you can also report crimes anonymously via Crimestoppers.

The Tenancy Support and Wellbeing Team will always be happy to support you with any issues around your safety and can also support with reporting incidents to the Police and other relevant services. Contact us on tenancysupport@unipol.org.uk or use this form.