Staying safe in the city

Liverpool at night

Although Liverpool is a relatively safe place to live and study, to help you and your friends stay safe while out and about in the city, here are some key safety tips which you may find helpful.

  • 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.
  • Travel safely.Try to travel with people you know and, where possible, stick to routes and forms of transport that others are using. If you do walk home, try to stick to main roads and avoid poorly lit areas, alleyways, and shortcuts through lonely places.
  • Go against the flow.When walking on the pavement, always face oncoming traffic as it will make it far more difficult for thieves on two wheelers to ride up from behind and snatch your property. But still also be aware of anyone approaching from ahead of you.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.Using a mobile phone, wearing a hood, or listening to music on headphones while you are out can all affect your awareness of what’s happening around you. Make yourself less of a target by being aware of your surroundings will go a long way to keeping you safe.
  • Be vigilant.When using cash machines make sure you protect your PIN. Try to avoid using a cash machine late at night, and if you have been drinking. If you do need to withdraw cash use a machine in a busy well-lit area and stay with people you know.
  • Drink responsibly.Alcohol and drugs will reduce reaction times and inhibitions, which makes it harder to assess risks and decide how to deal with them. You are far more vulnerable when you are drunk, especially if you are on your own. Eat before you go out, and try to alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks. Never leave your drink unattended. Check out this advice from drinkaware.
  • Protect your valuables.Try to keep your phone out of sight, and be vigilant if you do have to use your phone outside. It’s also worth registering your possessions with Immobilise – the free national property register that allows the Police to identify the owners of any recovered property in the event of theft.
  • 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.

Campus Support Services

Did you know that the University runs its own chaperone service for students?

If you are working late on campus or feeling vulnerable and would like to be escorted across campus, you can call Campus Support at any time on 0151 794 3252.

Two members of our security team will be with you in 15 minutes and our service operates 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year.

Report + Support

Report + Support is an online service which can be used to tell us about incidents you have seen or experienced that have made you feel uncomfortable. It can be used to report incidents including bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, hate crime, assault or discrimination, and can be used anonymously if you wish.

You can access the tool at any time online.