Student safety on campus and in Leicester

Leicester is generally a safe place to live and study.

As in any city, however, unsettling incidents can occur. We want to make sure that you are prepared, should you, or someone you know, be involved in an incident. Following some simple advice and taking a few basic precautions can make a real difference in keeping you, your accommodation and your belongings safe and secure.

If you are in an emergency situation and need urgent support call 999 now.

Safety advice

  1. Plan ahead

    When planning nights out, it is always a good idea to think ahead about what you might need, how you will get home safely and which route you will take. Avoid taking short cuts and walking alone or down dark roads and pathways, and remain cautious.

    Call a taxi for when it’s time to head home, or walk in a group. ADT offer a tailored service for Leicester students, with fixed fares from 6pm – 6am. You can find their office on Braunstone Gate (towards the QEII Leisure Centre) or call them on 0116 255 5222.

  2. Well-lit street map

    Check out the map guide on how to get to some of the key places around Leicester. We’ve highlighted the best-lit streets so you can easily and safely explore the city after dark.

    If you need these routes in an alternative format, please contact security@dmu.ac.uk.

    well-lit street map
  3. Safety advice

    Report all incidents or near miss incidents to DMU Security (0116 257 7642 – 24 hours) and the police on 999.

    If anyone has any concerns, they are very welcome to meet Head of Security, Indi Singh, in the Security Office (opposite Gateway House, close to the Campus Centre).

    Street robbery

    If you find yourself in a vulnerable situation such as a street robbery, throw your possessions away from the individual and run away.

    Report the incident to the police and/or DMU Security on the numbers above.

    If you feel unsafe on or immediately around campus, you can call the Security team for support. Our team can monitor your journey using our network of CCTV cameras.

    Run, Hide, Tell

    There is no specific intelligence which suggests that universities are being targeted by terrorist attacks, and the chances of being caught in a terrorist incident or weapons attack is extremely low. However, it is important that you stay alert and know what to do if the worst was to happen.

    In the rare event of an attack, police advice states that you should Run, Hide, Tell.

    Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there is nowhere to go;

    Hide; it’s better to hide than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally, and only when it is safe to do so…

    Tell the police by calling 999.

    Be vigilant of money mule fraudsters

    One of the ways students are being targeted by fraudsters is through online job adverts. These adverts can sometimes appear on social media, offering the chance to make hundreds of pounds for very little work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

    This could make you into a ‘money mule’ and you could be prosecuted, as money laundering supports organised and serious crime. Be vigilant and find out more online or watch our video below.

    Be a good neighbour

    No matter where you live, it makes life a lot easier when you can develop a good relationship with your neighbours. It’s important to take your neighbourly responsibilities seriously and you may find you greatly benefit from putting a bit of extra thought and effort into your behaviour to them.

    We've worked with De Montfort Students’ Union on putting together a Good Neighbour guide which provides some tips and guidance for how you can best get along with neighbours and foster positive relations in the community you live in.

  4. Further support and advice

    DMU is dedicated to providing an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and staff. In order to do so, we have joined forces with De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) for a number of support approaches and campaigns. We want all students to know that we are here to listen, support and protect you.