Although Liverpool is a relatively safe place to live and study, to help you and your friends stay safe while living and studying here, we wanted to remind everyone of some key safety tips.
Our Campus Support Team is on campus 24-hours a day, seven days a week, undertaking a variety of measures to maintain a safe and secure environment.
If you would like more property or personal safety advice, please contact the control room (0151 794 3252). Campus Support will make arrangements to meet you and provide you with further advice.
The University also has a dedicated Police Officer. They are available to offer advice and support regarding any potential crime related issues on University premises or for general advice on personal safety and the security of equipment.
You can contact the Police Officer directly via email on 8653@merseyside.pnn.police.uk
Protect your property
To keep your property safe, follow these top tips:
- If you are leaving the house, remember to always lock all doors and windows and activate any house alarms
- Light timers are a good way of making it appear that the house or flat is occupied
- Make sure that any valuables are not in view. Close curtains at night. You can also register your possessions for free with Immobilise, the national property register
- If you live in a flat or shared accommodation, make sure you know who is following you in to the building
- Prevent flooding – know where your main stop valve is. Follow the winter weather advice from United Utilities
- Always lock your bike (even if you are leaving it for a few minutes). Use the University’s bike pods. Each of these compounds are fitted with lighting, a panic alarm and are gated with a proximity card access and always use a D lock to secure your bike.
- You can also register your bike with our bike protection scheme. This police approved database is free of charge to use, for details see the website.
Visit the Liverpool Student Homes website for more information on home security.
Personal safety
Many of you will spend some time visiting the various pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants in the area. Follow these simple tips to make sure you plan a safe night out:
- Plan your journey home before you set off. Pre-book a taxi, or arrange a lift with a non-drinker. Perhaps even select one of your group to be the designated driver.
- Keep your phone charged up. Making sure your phone is fully charged before you head out is important for taking photos but also for staying in touch, or getting hold of your friends if you lose them in the crowds.
- Remember to use a licensed taxi or black cab. Don’t hitch-hike or accept lifts from strangers. Licensed taxis should have the driver’s ID prominently displayed.
- There is safety in numbers – don’t wander off on your own. If you do have to walk home, walk with friends and try to stick to main roads that are well populated, even if it means taking a longer alternative route. Avoid poorly lit areas.
- Drink responsibly. You are far more vulnerable when you are drunk, especially if you are on your own. Try and stay with a group of friends. Eat before you go out, and try to alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water. Know your limits and stay in control. Find out more about Drink Less Enjoy More.
- Travel sensibly. Listening with headphones or talking on the phone reduces your awareness of what’s around you.
- Take care when using cash machines. If you need to withdraw cash, try to do it in the day, when there are more people about and only take out what you need. Make sure you protect your PIN. If you do need to withdraw cash late at night, use a machine in a well-lit area and stay with friends.
- Attract help if you need it. If you feel threatened, make as much noise as possible to identify yourself in order to warn off the individual and to attract help from others.