Tips for staying safe as a uni student in London

Posted 9 months ago

Safety tips for living in halls in London

London is not a dangerous city, but your safety, happiness and wellbeing are all extremely important to us and it is always better to be as streetwise as possible.

When living in halls, we recommend that you are aware of your personal safety, as you would with any other big city.

We've put together some tips to include in your daily routine to ensure that you stay safe and secure around your hall and the city. 

  • Do not let anyone follow you into the building (commonly described as tailgating) unless they have their own key. 
  • Make sure that all guests are accompanied at all times. All residents have their own keys. 
  • Do not put yourself at risk by approaching anyone acting suspiciously.
  • Do not prop open flat doors. All doors must be closed when not in use. This is also important for fire safety. 
  • Always remember to lock your bedroom door when you're out or going to sleep. 


  • Keep your phone out of sight when you're out and about, especially in busy areas like public transport, stations, shopping centres and concert venues.
  • Be aware on main roads too, as bike and motorbike phone theft is common across London.
  • A crossbody phone case or lanyard is a great way to keep your phone secure.
  • If your phone is stolen, report it to the police and your halls team straight away.


Like phone safety, keep all valuables out of sight when out and about in London. Carry your laptops in a rucksack rather than a laptop bag so it cannot be easily seen.


If you are wearing headphones, especially turned up loud, you may not hear potential danger or warnings around you. Consider using only one earbud or keeping the volume low enough to hear traffic and other noises around you.

While Londoners are generally friendly, it’s important you are vigilant if you are approached by strangers. Students and tourists are often targeted by scammers and pickpockets, so be cautious of any offers or deals that seem too good to be true and avoid giving out personal information.

  • If you feel uncomfortable about any activity in or nearby the hall, report it immediately to your hall staff or the security team.
  • If you have an urgent issue relating to your accommodation outside of normal office hours, call the your halls 24/7 phone number.


Make sure you charge your phone before you head out into the city. It’s always a good idea to carry an extra power source.

  • Make sure you know your options to get home safely.
  • Stick to well-lit main roads or grab a taxi if you are travelling longer distances.
  • Walk Safe app is a free resource that shows well-lit areas and routes home for students.
  • Strut Safe is a free UK wide number that allows you to talk to a volunteer if you're walking alone late at night. The person is not police but can keep you company and track your location should anything go wrong and tell authorities.
  • You should also only use registered taxis or minicabs.

📌 Remember:

  • Report any incidents or suspicious activity to the police.
  • Inform the police if any of your valuables are stolen or lost.
  • Dial 101 for your nearest Police service or 999 in the event of an emergency.