Top Tips for Staying Safe at University: Starting university or college can feel a bit overwhelming for everyone. You’re probably relocating to a new city, living independently for the first time, and facing a world full of opportunities, excitement, and freedom! However, it’s common for both parents and students to worry about how to stay safe during this new chapter.

know the risks

It’s a sad reality that students can be prime targets for criminals and predators. When these wrongdoers look for potential victims, they often seek out those who seem vulnerable. Unfortunately, young individuals in a new city, away from home and caught up in the excitement of their surroundings, may not be as vigilant about their safety or their valuable possessions. Additionally, student housing often has outdated and insecure windows and doors, making it even more appealing to those with ill intentions.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW 2020) states that:

• Young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual assault compared to those who are 25 and older.
• Full-time students were at a higher risk of experiencing sexual assault compared to individuals in other job categories.

The Office for National Statistics Report ‘Overview of burglary and other household theft: England and Wales’ 2017 reports:

• Households with a younger adult (aged 16 to 24) as the reference person are generally more prone to domestic burglary compared to those with older individuals in that role.
• We don’t mean to alarm you with these figures; we just want to make sure you’re aware of the risks involved. Knowing what to look out for allows you to take proactive measures to keep yourself safe.

Crime at University

• Burglary – Important items like laptops and phones left in places without security.
• Phone snatching – Exploiting students who are wearing headphones or are not fully focused.
• Bike theft – Because so many students are riding bikes to get around.
• Assault – It can happen during a mugging or even among students because of alcohol and drugs.
• Sexual assault and rape – A majority of these offenses are carried out by individuals familiar to the victim.

Personal Safety

If this seems a bit discouraging, don’t be disheartened – you’re not helpless! You can take action and learn effective ways to keep yourself secure.

You’re eager to explore, have fun, and make the most of your experience—and you absolutely can! Just keep a few safety tips in mind and stay alert. This simple awareness can help you and your loved ones avoid the distress of a burglary, robbery, assault, or worse.

Here are some tips to keep safe at university

Trust your instinct

Developing the ability to trust your intuition is one of the key skills we focus on. A lot of folks believe that self-defense is all about punches, kicks, or martial arts techniques, but that’s not the case! Self-defense is really about understanding yourself, grasping the mindset of potential attackers, recognizing how attacks occur, steering clear of risky situations, and having a straightforward yet effective physical reaction if necessary.

Begin to connect with your instincts and really pay attention to them. Our subconscious is adept at picking up on signals that often go unnoticed.

Be prepared and responsible

1. Make sure to have a safe place where you can store copies of all your essential documents, like your passport, driver’s license, insurance contact number, bank contact number, and emergency contacts such as your landlord and parents. Don’t forget to include your phone’s IMEI number. Essentially, gather everything you might need in case your wallet and phone go missing.
2. Make sure to plan your trip beforehand—consider where you’re going, who you’ll be with, and how you’ll get home afterward.
3. Make sure to bring a fully charged mobile phone that has your friends’ numbers and emergency contacts saved in it.
4. Set aside some cash specifically for taxi rides and keep it in a separate spot to avoid accidentally spending it. Make sure to save taxi numbers in your phone or consider booking in advance.
5. It’s easy to assume that campus life is completely safe, but the reality is that incidents like assaults, thefts, and sexual assaults occur every year at universities. Unfortunately, many of these cases go unreported due to the shame that victims may feel.

Be informed

Find opportunities to enhance your safety at university, including:

1. Many top universities are launching Campus Watch programs, akin to Neighbourhood Watch initiatives. Check if your university has one and consider participating! If not, encourage them to start one. For instance, The University of Reading has a Campus Watch scheme that allows students to quickly reach university security and receive alerts about ongoing incidents.

2. University-run safety schemes.

3. Local police partnerships.

Secure your accommodation

Student housing often experiences a high rate of burglaries, so make sure to take precautions to keep yourself safe from this troubling issue.

1. Make sure your rental home is safe and secure. If the windows and doors aren’t locking correctly or are in poor condition, ask for them to be repaired or replaced.
2. If safety is a concern for you, it might be a good idea to ask whether you can have an extra lock or bolt added to your room or the place where you’re staying.
3. If your property features a garden, yard, or gate, be sure to secure it with a padlock and remember to use it regularly!
4. Remember to secure your windows and doors every time you leave the house, and encourage your roommates to do the same! It may seem like common sense, but nearly half of student burglaries happen because windows or doors are left open or unlocked.
5. Find clever ways to hide your important items within your room. Use your imagination and select an unusual spot to keep them safe!

Self Defence for Students

We sincerely wish that you never encounter a situation where you have to defend yourself physically. However, if that moment arises, it’s important to rely on your own judgment to decide how to react.

If someone is attempting to take your bag and is being aggressive, it’s best to hand it over. An even smarter move would be to toss the bag away from both of you and make a quick escape.

If you find yourself in a situation where someone is threatening you and attempting to force you into their car or down a dark alley, it’s crucial to respond quickly. If possible, run away and make noise by shouting or screaming to create a distraction.