Making it Happen: Safety and security support

Keeping our students and the community safe around campus

How we’re continuing to keep our community safe on campus

In the first of our safety and security updates we are pleased to let you know how we’ve been improving safety on campus and in the community following your feedback.

New Community Safety Team

We have made some big investments in a new Community Safety Team, who also have a new location on campus. Based in the new Community Safety Hub at Lodge No.2, North Gate, our friendly team offer you a safe, confidential space to ask any safety questions or share your concerns. Available all year round and open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday you can pop along to pick up FREE safety and security products.

Working with the Guild the Team are able to offer personal safety alarms, home security devices and bike D-locks. You may have seen the safety and police teams on campus, please do say hello; they can help with crime prevention advice and guidance on support services plus much more. Find out more

Darker nights

With winter approaching and the evenings getting dark earlier it’s now ever more important to take care. Whether you’re on a night out or staying for a late study session, here are some top tips on how to stay safe during dark nights.

Use the Selly Express bus service

If staying on campus late don't forget to take advantage of the Selly Express Bus Service. This is a joint initiative with the Guild offering a free dedicated bus service helping you to get home safely in the evenings. The bus departs from the back of Main Library at every hour from 7pm (last departure 12:00am) and serves many roads through Selly Oak, dropping you right at your front door. Check out the timetable and roads served on the Guild of Students website.

Stay in groups where possible

Whether you’re leaving campus after a late session in the library, going to a friend’s house or heading home after a night out, try and avoid walking by yourself at night and listening to music via headphones. It’s always a good idea to try and walk with other people that you know if you can.

Know your route and walk safely

It helps to know where you’re going. Plan your route ahead by using google maps or other route planning apps and think about avoiding short cuts, alleyways, parks and wasteland. Use our preferred walking route designed to make walking to and from the city safer. The route encourages you to use a dedicated footpath that goes between the Vale Village and Birmingham city centre. Tell me more  

Travel Safety

While it can be tempting to hop into the first cab you see on a night out, ignore anyone who approaches you to offer you a ride – this is illegal. Private-hire taxis, including Uber, can only legally pick you up if you’ve booked, so don’t get into one without that booking confirmation.

Even when you do book, it’s good to be taxi smart by making sure that the car and registration number match the description the company send you.

And if you’re using public transport there’s nothing worse than missing the last bus or train home. Most services stop running after a certain time at night, so make sure you plan ahead to ensure you don’t get caught out.

SafeZone

SafeZone is our mobile app designed to give you extra peace of mind on campus and at university accommodation. The SafeZone app is free to download and easy to use. Check-in at any time of day and share your location so we know where you are on campus if you’re working or studying alone. Find out more   

Community Wardens

Community Wardens are a team of students based at the Guild, who work for a safer, cleaner, greener community for all. They can often be found in the Bournbrook area of Selly Oak – and across the wider area where student live – and can offer support for those of you living in the community. 

There is more information on the Guild of Students website.

And finally you can find other top safety tips on our personal safety intranet pages.

If you have any safety concerns, on or off campus, don’t hesitate to contact the Community Safety Team at communitysafetyteam@contacts.bham.ac.uk or pop along to their lodge at North Gate.

Keep an eye on our student communication channels for more updates on the safety and security initiatives that are being worked on throughout the year to make your UoB experience.

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