Now winter is very much upon us, and attention is turning to the Christmas holiday, it is a good time to think about safety and security both on and off campus.
Sunset arrives mid-afternoon, there may be fewer people out and about in public places, and many students will be thinking about heading home for the festive period in a few weeks’ time.
The University has a Campus Security team who patrol the campus around the clock, operate extensive CCTV and can respond immediately to any security incidents on campus 24 hours a day. But all staff and students can contribute to looking out for people and property by adopting a few simple precautions:
Some tips when you are out and about:
- Avoid isolated places, especially at night.
- Stick to well-lit and overlooked routes whenever possible.
- Try to travel in groups of two or more people.
- If you are going out alone, tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to be back.
- Mobile phones, laptop computers and other portable gadgets are attractive to opportunist criminals. Be careful about where you take them and how you use them.
- Never get into a taxi on the street unless it is a licensed Hackney Carriage (‘black cab’), and only use a private-hire cab that you have booked by phone.
- Don’t accept lifts from strangers.
- Trust your ‘gut feeling’ and avoid people and situations that make you feel uneasy.
When you are on campus:
- Protect your belongings by locking your office/room door every time you leave.
- Don’t leave purses, phones, laptops and other valuables unattended.
- Call Security on ext. 6062 (01522 886062 from a mobile) if you are concerned about anything unusual on campus, or if you think that someone has ‘tailgated’ you into a secure area of a building.
When you are at home:
- Remember to always lock your door – your room door if living in Halls or your front and rear doors when living in a shared house, even when you are in.
- Do not allow anyone into your home unless you know who they are or they show you a valid ID.
- Do not leave ID cards, cash cards, money, cheque books or keys lying around – an opportunist may find these too tempting.
- Never leave your home unlocked when you go out, even if it is only for a short period of time.
- Don’t forget about closing windows when you go out, including upstairs ones.
- Do not leave keys or personal belongings where they can be seen through doors and windows.
- Make sure you are covered by contents insurance, and register your gadgets at immobilise.com
- If you see anyone acting suspiciously, report it to Security on 886062 (if on campus) or report it to the police by calling 101.