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Safety on Campus

SAFETY ON CAMPUS

Check out this page for safety tips and to discover who to report to when you have been involved in an incident or want to discuss a safety concern.

No one should ever have to feel unsafe so keep reading to find out how we can help!

On-Campus Safety Tips

  • Never leave your home unlocked when you leave it - even if it is only for a short period of time. Make sure all windows are closed and locked.
  • Do not allow anyone into your home unless you know who they are.
  • Do not leave ID cards, cash cards, money, cheque books or keys lying around - do not put temptation in the way of your house mates or visitors!
  • Politely challenge anyone you see ‘tailgating’ behind you when entering buildings or other secure areas. Ask to see their University identity card before you let them in. If they refuse, or take offence at being challenged, inform the Community Safety Team on 024 7652 2083 and they will attend to support you.

Don't forget that the University is an open campus. Not only can students and staff access campus, the public can access campus at any time.

Personal Safety Tips

  • Avoid isolated places, especially at night
  • Stick to well-lit and overlooked routes, wherever possible
  • Try to travel in groups of two or more people. If you are going out alone, tell someone where you're going and what time you expect be back.
  • Don't forget your room key.
  • Mobile phones, laptop computers and small electronics are attractive to opportunist criminals. Be careful about where you take them and how you use them.
  • Never get into a taxi on the street unless it is a licensed Hackney Carriage, also called a ‘black cab’. Only use a private-hire cab/Uber that you have booked by phone
  • Don't accept lifts from strangers
  • Trust your ‘gut feeling’ and avoid people and situations that make you feel uneasy

Safer Students

Check out the Safer Students Website for tips and advice on how to keep safe as a student.

Click here

Bike Safety Tips

Every year, bikes on campus are targeted by opportunist thieves because they can be easy to steal

Please ensure you:

  • Always lock your bike using a hardened, ‘D’-type lock. The cheaper, cable-type locks can be removed relatively easily
  • Attach the lock through the frame and to a strong structure that is fixed to the ground or a building, whenever possible
  • If you can, lock the bike in a well-lit location and somewhere with people walking by
  • Mark your property with your postcode and register it for free at www.bikeregister.comLink opens in a new window

Cyber Safety and Scamming

Scamming is more common amongst students than you think. Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.

  • STOP: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.
  • CHALLENGE: Ask yourself, could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud at Action Fraud or contact contact Community Safety.
  • The bottom line is that SLC, HMRC, banks, PayPal, eBay, etc. will never ask you to reveal personal details over email. If you're asked to do it, don't.
  • Remember that anyone can join a public/open WhatApp group and pretend to be a student

Alcohol and Drugs

Drinking alcohol affects you and those around you. It is important that you look out for each other and make sure you are drinking safely.

Don’t forget to:

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the night and make sure you eat a substantial meal.
  • Stick with your friends and look after each other. Make sure everyone in your group gets home safely including yourself.
  • Don’t accept drinks off strangers or leave your drink unattended, this can limit the chances of getting spiked. If you do believe you have been spiked speak to a staff member or contact Community Safety.
  • Not everyone in your flat will have the same attitude to alcohol. Support those who don’t drink and include them in social activities and organise sober activities as well.
  • On campus we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding the possession and use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs without a valid prescription and psychoactive substances.

If at any point you are worried about yourself or your friends due to intoxication or drug use please contact Community Safety Immediately.

Did you know?

You can find Community Safety’s phone number on the back of your university ID card

Make sure you save the number in your phone for when you need it

Lost your room key? Or left it in your room?

Your Residence Hubs can help!

  • They are open on weekdays
  • 9am-5pm (until 4pm on Fridays)
  • Location: Hubs are located in your residence

Go to the Student Information Centre if Residence Hubs are closed

  • They are open 8am-8pm on weekdays*
  • and 10am-6pm on weekends.*
  • Location: Senate House

*Opening hours may vary during holidays, please check their webpage for updates.

Everything else is closed?

  • Please visit the Community Safety Hub and they can help.
  • Location: Corner of Gibbet Hill Rd and Lord Bhattacharyya Way

If you are issued with a replacement key, please make sure the 'old' key is returned to either your residence hub or the Student Information Centre.

Speak to Someone First

It is always good to talk to someone if you are concerned about yourself or someone else’s safety. You don’t always have to report straight away, have a conversation with someone first and get some advice before reporting.

Check out some of the services available on campus who are free for a chat.

Community Safety

Community Safety is an emergency response and pastoral support service. They are available 24/7 for anyone looking for support

They can help with:

Safety Concerns on and off campus

First Aid

Harassment/Stalking

Theft

Signposting

Fire Alarms

Scams and Fraud

Emergencies

If you are unsure just give them a call and they will point you in the right direction

For general enquiries

Phone: 024 7652 2083

Email: Community.Safety@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window

Location: Corner of Gibbet Hill Rd and Lord Bhattacharyya Way

For emergencies

(fire, police, ambulance)

Phone: 024 7652 2222

All calls requiring an external emergency service on campus should be made through the Control Centre on the emergency number. If there is a second person with you, please ask them to call emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) so information is given to these services correctly

This enables the emergency services to get help to you faster because Community Safety will escort them to the scene quickly.

Report and Support

Report and Support are a confidential service for you to seek help and support on a range of important issues. A trained Liaison Officer will talk your through your various reporting options in complete confidence.

They can help with:

Sexual Misconduct

Discrimination

Bullying and harassment

Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes

Relationship Abuse

Please note that by speaking with an advisor and providing details DOES NOT mean that you are formally reporting an issue to the University.

To speak to an advisor or to report anonymously please click here 

Report and Support are limited with what they can do when someone reports anonymously so we strongly recommend you speak to an advisor. All information shared remains confidential until you say otherwise.

Non - Emergency Services

Police (non-emergency)

Call 101

(press option for either Warwickshire or West Midlands Police, when prompted)

Medical Advice (non-emergency)

Call 111

Residential Community Team

The Residential Community Team are a peer-led service that offer pastoral support to residential students. They are always free for a chat and can help you or your friend to speak with other services at the university.

Residence Hubs:

Our staff are available in your Residence Hub every evening between 7pm - 9pm.

RCT Hub (Red Square):

Our staff are available in the RCT hub from 9am-11pm Monday to Friday and 12pm-11pm Saturday and Sunday.

Non Emergency Out of Hours Number:

Have a chat with someone from our team, please keep in mind our staff aren’t an emergency or counselling service

If you live in Arthur Vick, Jack Martin, Bluebell, Rootes, or Westwood call: 07884 733 042

If you live in Claycroft, Cryfield, Benefactors, Sherbourne, Tocil, Heronbank, or Lakeside call: 07881 267 519

Did you know?

Nightline give out free Attack Alarms for students!

Nightline are located in Red Square near Rootes residence and they are open 9pm-9am Monday to Friday