To stay safe in freshers’ week, set up Emergency SOS and save 999, 101, 61016 and your campus security number before you go out; agree a buddy system and how you will get home; watch your drink and know that you can ask bar staff for “Angela”; lock your room and bike; and be wary of messages about student loans, rent or jobs that ask for money or bank details.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Sources: British Transport Police, Report Fraud, Victim Support, Apple and Google support
Numbers every UK student should save
How do I stay safe on a night out in freshers’ week?
Go out with people you have met and agree a meeting point and how you will get home before you start. Keep your drink with you and don’t accept drinks from strangers. If someone in your group suddenly seems much more drunk than they should be, stay with them and tell staff, because it could be drink spiking. In many bars you can discreetly ask staff for “Angela” if you feel unsafe.
How do I keep my room and belongings safe in halls?
Lock your door every time you leave, even for a few minutes, and close ground-floor windows. Don’t hold secure doors open for people you don’t know. Keep laptops and phones out of sight, record serial numbers, and check whether your belongings are covered by insurance. For bikes, use a strong D-lock through the frame and a fixed stand.
What scams target students?
Common ones are fake messages about student loans asking you to “confirm” bank details, fake landlords asking for a deposit before a viewing, and “easy money” offers to let someone use your bank account, which is money muling and a crime. Never share bank details or passwords from a link in a message; go to the official website yourself. Report scams to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and contact your bank straight away if you have lost money.
Frequently asked questions
Stay with them, keep them somewhere safe and warm, and get them home with someone you trust. If they are unconscious, can’t be woken or are struggling to breathe, call 999.
In an emergency, call 999. Otherwise tell campus security and your university’s student support team, and report crimes to the police on 101 or online.
Use our walking home alone at night checklist and share your journey with a friend.
Sources
- British Transport Police: 61016
- City of London Police: Report Fraud
- Victim Support: Supportline
- Metropolitan Police: Ask for Angela
General safety information, not legal advice. In an emergency, always call 999.
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New city, new friends: stay connected
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