International Student Office
Safety
Leeds is a great place to live, but as with all big cities it does have some crime, so you need to take sensible precautions as part of your daily routine. You also need to be aware of health and safety risks in your accommodation, and in places where you study. The situation in the UK may be different to what you are used to at home so it is essential that you learn about UK crime prevention and health and safety advice and follow this while you are here.
Crime prevention
Each year some students are affected by crimes including burglary, street theft, or verbal abuse. By following basic crime prevention advice you can reduce the risk of this happening to you.
Safety advice on the Knowledge website
The Knowledge website aims to give students in Leeds the knowledge you need to keep yourself and your possessions safe. It gives safety advice, information on the types of crime affecting students and the crime statistics for different areas.
Advice from the Crime Prevention Officer
You can also get expert e-mail and face-to-face advice from the Crime Prevention Officer, Andy Gordon-Platt in the University Security Service.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tel: 0113 343 5005
Safety when you go out
- After dark, always walk in well-lit areas, don’t walk alone and don’t use outside cash machines.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be especially careful if you are using headphones or talking on your mobile phone.
- Disguise your laptop by using a sports bag and don’t wear lots of expensive jewellery.
- Travel home on the LUU Nightbus, or take a taxi, or walk with friends using well-lit streets.
- Take precautions to keep yourself safe when you are in pubs, bars and clubs - you can find advice about this here.
Use the LUU Night Bus
This service takes students home to their accommodation from the University after dark. It is for students travelling home alone or in pairs. The Nightbus costs £1 and runs every night during term-time. It leaves from the Students’ Union steps. The service takes you to the entrance of your accommodation so you don’t have to walk home from a bus stop. Information about the service including a timetable is available here and from the Students’ Union Help Desk.
Use Amber Cars ‘no cash’ taxi service
If you have no cash, Amber Cars has an arrangement with the Students’ Union which allows students without cash to take a taxi and give the driver their student card, then pay for their fare later. You can find out more about this service here.
How to protect your possessions
- Always close your window and lock your door if you are away from your room, even if only for a short time.
- Make sure valuable items can’t be seen through the window of your room and are out of sight when you leave.
- Register your possessions on the Immobilise website. Immobilise helps the police trace the owners of stolen property.
- Register your phone with the service provider and, if it is stolen, ask them to bar the SIM card. Make a note of your 15-digit serial number or IMEI. You can find this by dialing *#06# on your key pad.
- Keep a note of the telephone number of your credit/cash card provider so you can inform them immediately if your cards are lost or stolen.
- Make sure you have insurance so you can replace possessions if they are stolen.
- Back up work regularly and keep copies in a safe place in case your laptop is stolen.
Protect against identity theft
- Don’t let criminals use your personal information for fraud.
- Don’t throw away bank statements, bills or credit card statements.
- If your documents are lost or stolen, report this immediately to the organisation which issued them.
- Never give your bank security passwords or PIN to anyone. Beware of emails or phone calls from criminals pretending to be banks.
- More information on how to protect yourself against identity theft is available here.
Safety at home
- Check the safety of your accommodation
- Check regularly that your accommodation has working smoke alarms and a current gas safety certificate.
- Make sure you are aware of fire safety precautions and how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep your accommodation secure by locking all windows and doors when you leave your room and don’t let anyone you don’t know into the building.
- More home safety advice is available here
Ask the Student Advice Centre
If you have concerns about safety in your accommodation you can get expert advice from the Student Advice Centre.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Health and safety where you study
Your School/ department will tell you what you need to do to stay safe and healthy whilst studying. The University takes health and safety very seriously, so tell your tutor if you see an accident or a near miss.
You can get more information from your School Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Faculty Health and Safety Manager or the Health and Safety Services website
Health and Safety Induction Leaflets
Security and safety services
West Yorkshire Police
The role of the Police service includes receiving reports of crime and lost property; giving crime prevention advice; patrolling the city; investigating crimes; and responding to emergencies.
What number do I phone to report a crime or emergency situation to the Police?
Tel: 101 (non-emergencies)
Tel: 999 (emergencies only)
Who can I talk to for information about the Police or crime in Leeds?
Police Student Liaison Officer
PC 6210 Matt Guy
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Where can I report a crime to the Police face-to-face?
You should visit the police station responsible for the area where the crime was committed. Telephone in advance to check which station you should visit.
Leeds Police Stations
City Centre
Millgarth Police Station, Millgarth Street,
Leeds LS2 7HX
Tel: 0845 60 60 60 6
Headingley/Adel
Weetwood Police Station, 300 Otley Road, Leeds LS16 6RG
Tel: 0845 60 60 60 6
University Security Service
The University Security Service operates 24-hours a day, every day of the year. Security staff offer crime prevention advice, patrol the campus, investigate crimes, respond to alarms and emergencies and deal with lost property. Contact them for information and advice or to report a crime, at 183 Woodhouse Lane (near the University entrance barrier).
Tel: 0113 343 5494 (non-emergencies)
Tel: 0113 343 2222 (emergencies only)
University Health and Safety Services
Health and Safety Services provide advice and support to help staff and students work and study safely and healthily. Contact them for information, advice or to report any health and safety concern.
Tel: 0113 343 4201
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Emergency Services
Tel: 999
For Police, Fire, Ambulance and Coast Guard