🎓 University Freshers: Crime Prevention and Staying Safe

🎓 University Freshers: Crime Prevention and Staying Safe

Dear Resident,

As thousands of young people head off to university for the first time, it is an exciting period filled with new opportunities, independence and experiences. Whether you are a new student, a parent, grandparent, family member or friend helping someone prepare for university life, there are some simple steps that can help keep students safe and reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.

🏠 Keeping Accommodation Secure

Moving away from home means taking responsibility for personal safety and security.

Students should:

Always lock bedroom doors, even when leaving for a short period.

Ensure windows are closed and secured when leaving accommodation.

Avoid allowing unknown people to follow them into halls of residence or secure buildings.

Keep valuables such as laptops, tablets and gaming devices out of sight.

Record serial numbers and register valuable property where possible.

Parents and family members can help by discussing basic home security before students move away.

Many burglaries are opportunistic and occur where doors or windows have been left unsecured.

📱 Protecting Phones, Laptops and Valuables

Students often carry expensive technology which can attract thieves.

Remember:

✅ Never leave belongings unattended in libraries, cafés or study areas.

✅ Use strong passwords and biometric security where available.

✅ Enable location tracking features on phones and devices.

✅ Back up important documents and coursework regularly.

✅ Keep bags zipped and valuables out of sight when travelling.

Taking a few moments to secure belongings can prevent significant inconvenience and expense.

🍻 Staying Safe on Nights Out

Freshers' events and social activities are often a key part of university life. While these events can be enjoyable, students should take sensible precautions.

Key Safety Advice:

Plan how you will get home before going out.

Stay with trusted friends.

Keep your mobile phone charged.

Never leave drinks unattended.

Know your limits and look out for others.

Friends should always look after one another and ensure nobody is left alone if they become vulnerable.

🚖 Getting Home Safely

Students should always consider how they will travel home, particularly after dark.

Good Practice Includes:

Using licensed taxis or reputable booking services.

Sharing journey details with a trusted friend.

Avoid walking home alone, especially in unfamiliar areas.

Trusting instincts and removing themselves from situations where they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

💻 Beware of Frauds and Scams

Students are frequently targeted by scammers due to their relative inexperience of managing accommodation, finances and bills independently.

Be alert to:

Fake accommodation adverts.

Online marketplace scams.

Phishing emails or text messages claiming to be from banks, universities or student finance providers.

Investment and money-making schemes promoted on social media.

Remember:

Stop. Think. Verify.

Never send money or share personal information without checking that requests are genuine.

🚲 Bicycle Security

For students bringing bicycles to university:

Use a quality D-lock.

Lock the frame and wheels to a secure bike stand.

Store bicycles securely overnight where possible.

❤️ Looking After Yourself and Others

Starting university can be both exciting and overwhelming. Students may be living away from home for the first time and adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings.

A simple message to all students:

Be aware of your surroundings.

Save emergency contacts on your phone.

Let trusted people know your plans when travelling at night.

Seek support if you are struggling or feeling vulnerable.

Likewise, if you see someone who appears lost, distressed or vulnerable, do not ignore them. Looking out for one another helps create a safer university community for everyone.

🚨 Reporting Crime or Concerns

Call 999 if:

A crime is in progress.

Someone is in immediate danger.

Immediate police assistance is needed.

Use 101 or online reporting for:

Non-emergency incidents.

Suspicious activity.

Theft, fraud or anti-social behaviour reports.

Reporting concerns helps police prevent crime and protect others in the community.

Stay Safe • Stay Alert • Look After Each Other 👮‍♂️🎓

You can keep up to date with what your local beat team gets up to by following us on social media: Oadby and Wigston Police | Facebook

Many thanks

Your Local Beat Teams

Please do not report crime or incidents via 'Neighbourhood Link' as the messages are not always monitored.

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Catherine Proctor
(Leicestershire Police, PC 168, Harborough and Wigston)