Personal safety

Southampton is a welcoming and vibrant city to live and study in. Looking out for yourself and your friends, and building a few simple safety habits into your routine, can help you feel more confident and enjoy your time here.

• Keep your belongings secure by carrying them in a zipped bag rather than in your pockets.
• When you’re out and about, keep your phone out of sight where possible.
• Stick to well-lit, busy routes and avoid shortcuts through alleyways or isolated areas, especially at night.
• Keep your phone charged and consider sharing your live location with trusted friends when travelling alone.
• Register valuable items such as phones, laptops and gadgets on a property register to help recover them if they are lost or stolen, such as Immobilise.
• If you have a bike, get it security marked and registered to help protect it from theft and improve the chances of recovery - BikeRegister is a good online resource for this.

Many bars, clubs and venues support the Ask for Angela scheme. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or need help on a date or night out, you can discreetly ask staff for “Angela”. Staff will understand that you need support and can help you leave safely, contact friends, or arrange further assistance if needed.

Look out for the Safe Place logo in shops, cafés, bars, clubs and restaurants across Southampton. If you ever feel anxious, unsafe or need help, staff in these venues are there to support you and help you stay safe.

Keeping your student home safe

• Always lock your door and shut your windows when you go out – even if it’s only for a few minutes.
• Try not to leave ground-floor windows open if you’re not in the room.
• Keep valuables like laptops, passports and bank cards somewhere secure. A small lockable box or safe can help.
• Lost your keys or fob? Let the Solent residences team or your landlord know straight away so they can help keep the building secure.
• Be aware of people trying to follow others into the building without using their own access fob ('tailgating').
• If something doesn’t feel right, or you notice suspicious behaviour, report it to the Solent residences team or your landlord.

Online safety

• Think carefully before sharing personal information online, including your address, phone number, timetable, student accommodation details or live location.
• Check your privacy settings on social media and make sure you know who can see your posts, photos and stories.
• Be cautious when connecting with people online, especially through dating apps or social media. If you decide to meet someone in person, choose a public place and let a friend know where you’ll be.
• Use strong, different passwords for your accounts and turn on two-factor authentication where possible to help keep your information secure.
• Trust your instincts online. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, pressured or unsafe, block/report them and speak to someone you trust.
• The Hollie Guard app is a free personal safety app designed to help you stay safe when out and about. It can share your location with trusted contacts, track journeys and send emergency alerts if you feel unsafe.

For more advice on staying safe online, read our information and advice on common student scams and frauds and how to avoid them.

If an incident has just happened, try to find somewhere you feel safe. If you are at the University, you can call the campus safety officers on 07720 166090 or go to your nearest University building and ask someone to phone for you.

What support is available if I am concerned about my personal safety or have been a victim of crime?

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust provide practical personal safety advice.

Report a crime to the police.

Tips and advice on keeping yourself protected from crime.

Crimestoppers offers information and advice on a wide range of issues, including personal safety. You can also report information about crime completely anonymously, without giving your name or personal details.

Victim Support is the independent charity for people affected by crime and traumatic events in England and Wales. Their support is free and confidential.

The University offers wellbeing support through the mental health and wellbeing team. Details of the services available and to book an appointment, please visit their portal page.

Visit the Student Hub to discuss submitting extenuating circumstances if your studies have or are being affected.