Students face the risk of becoming victims of a wide variety of crimes at university. Research from a Neighbourhood Watch survey to 172 students (December 2020) indicates the top three crime types students are most concerned about are:
- 53% said serious violence (including, but not limited to, knife crime, murder, serious assault)
- 52% said sexual crime (including, but not limited to, sexual assault, rape, stalking, revenge porn)
- and 45% said mugging/theft.
The majority of students (86%) said they would act on crime prevention advice if provided, and only 35% of participants said they have received personal safety guidance or crime prevention resources from their university/college/student union. The Student Watch initiative is one way to help to fill this crime prevention advice gap in the student environment.
If you are a student, ensuring your personal safety and that of your fellow students, such as having precautions in place when you go out (especially if you are alone), and watching how much you drink is essential. But there are also things you can do to protect yourself and your belongings.
PROTECT YOURSELF