Staying Safe.
Enjoy every minute of university life
This page will give you tips on how to keep you and your property safe in Leeds.
Crime
Students are, statistically, one of the most likely groups to fall victim to crime. Read our simple tips and stay safe. Crimes mostly affecting students are mugging, vehicle-related theft and burglary. But by taking a few simple precautions, you can help to make sure you don't become a victim.
Staying safe is all about following a few common-sense guidelines. Here are a few tips which could make all the difference:
Many burglaries happen when a door or window has been left open - in a private home or flat, lock up whenever you go out, with deadbolts if you have them.
In a hall of residence, be careful who you let in or who follows you into the building - lock your bedroom door even if you are only going down the corridor.
Robbers are after an easy target - walk in groups at night, travel by taxi or stay over with friends, your safety is worth more than the cab fare home!
If possible, use cash-machines during the day - put your card and cash away.
Keep cards and chequebooks separately - note down your card details so you can cancel them quickly.
Always lock your car and put valuables out of sight - never leave the keys in the ignition even when paying for petrol.
After a night out, arrange to go home with friends or in a taxi.
Be vigilant when using your mobile phone - if your phone is stolen, call your network or 0870 112 3123 to immobilise it.
Protect yourself with insurance - keep lists of the make, model and serial numbers of your electronic items to help police track them down if they are stolen.
Mark your property with the initials of your university and your student ID number - this makes it harder for a burglar to sell stolen goods and can help the police to return items to you.
Drug Rape
- 54% of victims are drugged by alcohol
- 47% of victims are drugged in a pub or club
- 11% of victims are men
Drug rape is usually committed by spiking a drink to incapacitate a person and take advantage of the effect the drug has on them. Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault (being drunk/taking drugs doesn’t mean it’s your fault).
There are many drug rapes drugs including GBH, Valium, Tamazepan and Rohypnol. These are mostly clear, odourless and tasteless liquids, tablets, capsules and powders.
The effects depend on dosage, but you may feel intoxicated, drowsy, nauseous and even fall unconscious. This may happen very quickly (within 30 minutes) and can last for up to six to eight hours. Mixing the drugs with alcohol increases the chance of an overdose and there is a risk of them proving fatal.
The most common date rape drug is alcohol. Try and know your limits so you can be careful and look out for your friends.
Some Helpful Tips:
- Know your own drink tolerance level.
- Think before you accept a drink.
- Do not leave your drink unattended or share or exchange drinks.
- Look out for your friends. If you have a non-drinking driver, they can be your ‘drinks watcher’.
- If you suspect someone has been drugged, call 999.
- Open cans and bottles yourself. Drinking from a bottle and keeping your thumb over the top is a good idea, but if you leave it unattended you will not be able to see if anything has been put in it.
- If there is something strange about your drink, throw it away. Most drugs have no colour or taste and can be used in soft drinks as well.
- If you start to feel really drunk when you shouldn’t, turn to a trusted friend.
- Consider very carefully whether you should leave with someone you have just met.
