Leicester and DMU is a safe place to live and study but it always helps to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions to look after yourself and your belongings, especially as we approach the Christmas break. Here are a few tips for you to follow to stay safe over the holiday period.
Staying safe when going out
We want all students to enjoy the festivities at Christmas but also to be careful when going out in Leicester or back at home. Follow the simple advice below:
- Plan ahead, think how you will get home safely and which route you will take if you are having a night out
- Walk in groups at night, travel by taxi or stay over with friends.
- Do no overdo alcohol consumption, and certainly don’t drink and drive
- Don’t walk with earphones or headphones on as you won’t know what’s going on around you.
- For more safety tips click here and check out our Student Safety webpage (which also includes Police guidance on what to do in the rare event of a terror attack).
Protect your belongings
- If you are going away and leaving your accommodation over the holiday it is essential that you make sure to close all windows and lock your door, including your bedroom door if you live in halls of residence. Take all of your expensive personal belongings home with you if you can.
- Don’t make it obvious on social media that you are away. This can be an open invitation to let burglars know you aren’t at home.
- Do not leave your personal belongings unattended. Keep valuables with you or secure them out of sight.
- Don’t leave packaging from expensive items on show outside your home as this advertises what could be inside. Recycle packaging if possible or put it safely in the bin.
- Make sure that any expensive items are covered by contents insurance. If you’re coming back to your accommodation by car, avoid leaving anything valuable on view as you unload.
- Be vigilant when using your mobile phone. If your phone is stolen, contact your network operator to stop anyone else being able to use it.
- Mark your property with the initials of the university (DMU) and your student ID number – this makes it harder for criminals to sell stolen goods and can help the police to return items to you.
- Keep lists of the make, model and serial numbers of your electronic items to help police track them down if they are stolen. Better still, register them for free at www.immobilise.com.
- Back up important work from your computer onto a memory stick, your DMU student drive or cloud storage. In case the worst happens and your device is stolen, you’ll still have your files saved.
DMU has its own campus police officer as well as a dedicated team of security staff who aim to ensure that all students and staff are able to study and work in a safe environment all year round. However, if something does happen to you, please report it and seek support from the university and our Campus Police Officer. You can do this by:
- Calling 999 in an emergency
- Reporting an incident online through the Leicestershire Police website
- Visiting our Security team at the Estates Services Building (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or calling them on 0116 257 7642.
Useful links and contacts:
DMU Security – telephone 0116 257 7642 (store this number in your phone contacts).
Be Smart Be Safe – a joint initiative between DMU and the campus police officer.
DMU campus police team – follow them on social media via Facebook and Twitter or email dmu@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk.
DSU Advice – a free, confidential and independent service provided by your Students’ Union.
Wellbeing advice from DSU – equipping you for the emotional and financial challenges of student life.
Leicester Nightline – an anonymous telephone service for students which provides listening, support and information.
Crimestoppers – you can report information 100% anonymously online or via the contact number 0800 555 111.
Action Fraud – For cases of fraud, online or otherwise, please report this to Action Fraud online or via the contact number 0300 123 2040.
Posted on Tuesday 10 December 2019