In light of the recent local and national events, we wanted to听reassure you听that here at the University of Southampton听your听safety is of utmost importance, and we take any concerns about your safety very seriously.听听
If you experience any kind of unwanted听behaviour,听please tell us by using听. You can either report an incident anonymously or with contact details, and you will get support from us.听We听also听work closely with our Students鈥� Union, the police and local venues听to address听reports听that have been made听to us.听Watch. You can also contact Security any time to report an incident or ask for support. Their phone number is on the back of your Student ID card.听
While we know you may be aware of the following听safety methods, at this time we would just like to remind you of听a list of advice and information听on how to keep safe, whether you are returning from campus听late at night,听going out to a local venue, or would like to make sure that your belongings are secure:听听
Plan听ahead听鈥� Look up ways to get home from where you are going:听
- 听听operate听every night until around midnight听and cover various points of interest,听including Highfield Campus, City Centre, and halls of residence.听For full timetables and routes available please听.听
- If you are leaving Highfield Campus late at night, the SUSU Safety Bus is another alternative听– it leaves on the hour from the SUSU Redbrick every day from 20:00 until midnight or 01:00 and takes you right to your doorstep. It also does two Winchester School of Art听trips every day.听.听听听
- Keep a note of a reliable taxi firm handy in case you can鈥檛 access your mobile phone, make sure you have enough cash on you for the fare or check if they are able to take card payments before you travel.
- If you choose to walk听after dark听and听don鈥檛 have someone to walk with,听let听a friend know the route you will be taking and what time you expect to arrive.听Try and听take well-lit, main roads听and avoid shortcuts.听
- If you are ever worried while you are travelling, go to a place where there are more people around.听听
How to reduce the risk of听drink听spiking:听
- Do not听leave your drink unattended and never accept a drink unless it is poured or opened in your presence.听听
- Look out for changes in consistency,听colour听or taste.听听
- If听you听notice something听or begin to feel strange, ask a friend or a member of staff for help.听Many bars are now carrying testing kits, so if you think something is off,听ask bar staff if you can test your drink.听
To find out more about drink spiking听.听听听
Be vigilant with your possessions:听听
- Watch your bags, wallet,听credit cards,听phone, laptop and any other valuables, and don鈥檛 leave them in plain view.听听
- Keep听your听bills and bank statements听out of sight, as they have听sensitive data that could be used by criminals.听听
- Be听alert听when using cash machines.听Keep the amount of cash you carry to a minimum.听听
- Make sure you lock up your bike if you leave it unattended.听听
- Close your windows and lock your doors when you leave. Always keep your accommodation secure even if you are out for only a few minutes.听
