Personal safety

At all times

• Avoid conspicuous use of your mobile phone on the street – especially if it is a ‘flashy’ one
• Always keep your bag where you can see or feel it – even on University premises and especially on public transport, in restaurants, cafes, cinemas, clubs
• Never carry large sums of cash on you
• Keep a secure record of any credit/debit card numbers so you can cancel them immediately
• If you are given change in a shop or at a station, put it securely in your bag before going into the street
• Try to look like you know where you are going – walk at a steady pace, try not to keep looking at a map
• Never accept a lift from a stranger, including unsolicited mini cabs. If hailing a taxi, only use a black taxi. Any minicab journey that isn’t booked by phone or in a minicab office is illegal and potentially unsafe
• Always lock your doors and windows when you leave your accommodation
• Keep your laptop out of sight especially in ground floor rooms
• Insure your belongings

After dark

• Stick to main roads, and avoid unlit or poorly lit areas including parks, alleyways, and housing estates. In an emergency always call 999
• If you see a person/situation that makes you uncomfortable on the street, cross the road or go into a late night shop/garage/cafe
• You will always be more at risk when you have been drinking alcohol
• If travelling home late at night, travel with someone else or take a taxi – a black cab or a pre-booked mini cab from a recommended firm (ask at the residences).

Transport for London (TfL)

• You can search for licensed minicab operators by using TfL’s online service, Book a taxi.
• The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. The last Tubes leave central London around 00:30 Monday to Saturday nights. Night buses run all night, and there are now more night buses than ever with 117 routes all with CCTV. Late underground trains and night buses are generally busy, but if buses are not, sit near the driver or downstairs on a double-decker
• You can plan your night out and get the latest information on late night travel by visiting Plan a Journey before you go out

* Text charged at 35p per enquiry plus standard text message rate. Roaming rates apply to overseas networks. Customers on 3 and overseas networks need to enter different information. See TfL Cabwise for further details