Student Safety Tips From Wandsworth Police

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Police recommend personal safety out and about

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times
• Look confident even if you do not feel it
• Avoid talking on your mobile phone, listening to music or doing anything that means you might be distracted from what is going on around you
• Let people know where you’re going and when to expect you
• Never leave your bag, wallet or purse unattended
• Report any theft or loss immediately to the police and University/School/ College security


Travelling:

By foot:
• Do not take short cuts or walk in isolated areas
• Keep to well lit paths

By car:
• Don't accept lifts from anyone you don't know and trust
• Ensure you have enough fuel for the journey
• Keep valuables out of sight – don’t put your handbag/wallet on the passenger seat when driving
• Park in well lit area or supervised car park
• When leaving your car, even for a few minutes, never leave the keys in the ignition. Lock the car and take the keys with you. This includes petrol stations.

By bicycle:
• Always lock your bike
• Wear protective headwear and bright colours.
• Use lights in poor visibility

By taxi / public transport:
• Use black cabs or book a taxi in advance
• Never get into an unlicensed minicab
• Try to avoid waiting at isolated bus stops.
• On a bus or coach, sit as close as possible to the driver.
• Do not sit in an empty compartment on a train or tube.
• Do not leave your bag loose on your lap or on the seat next to you.

Property and Belongings
Looking after your belongings:
• Ensure you have adequate personal belongings insurance
• Never leave cash or valuables such as computers in open view
• Make a list of all your property including serial numbers
• Property mark your valuable possessions.
• Register your belongings with Immobilise, a free online property database that allows you to register anything with a serial number, such as televisions, MP3 players, laptops, satellite navigation systems, games consoles and mobile phones
• Always use your mobile phone's security code or PIN
• Record your mobile phone's IMEI number and keep it somewhere safe.
Looking after your money
• Keep your card pin number to yourself, don't write it down or tell anyone else the number
• Do not ask anyone to use your card on your behalf
• Try to withdraw cash in daylight hours
• Look around before inserting your card and shield your pin when you enter it
• Put your money and card away before you step away from the cash machine
• Do not count your money in full view of strangers

In your accommodation:
• Do not leave cash or jewellery lying around the house and keep valuables out of sight, and in a secure place.
• Always shut windows when you leave a room – it only takes seconds for an intruder to get in
• Don't leave your keys in the door or lying around
• Use a spy hole or security chain to see who is at your door before opening it
• If someone claims to be a representative from a company ask to see identification before you let them in and call the company if you are still unsure
• Draw your curtains after dark

In your shared accommodation:
• Lock your room when you leave it even if you’re just going to the bathroom
• Never let anyone who is not known to you through the main entrance door - always close and lock the entrance door behind you. If visitors wish to gain entry, ask them to stay outside while you find the person they wish to see

Cycles:
Advice on preventing cycle theft
• Always lock your cycle, even if you are just leaving it for a few minutes
• Avoid isolated places - leave your cycle where it can be seen
• Lock your bike to an immovable object
• Invest in a good lock
• Secure removable parts
• Mark your cycle so it can be identified

If you see anything suspicious call 101.
In an emergency please dial 999.

 

August 28, 2012