How to be more streetwise when 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.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the Hall's staff at reception or contact your Wellbeing Reps.

9 tips for staying safe in London

1. Phone safety 📌

Please when you are outside the building or out and about in the city, make sure your phones are out of sight.

Protect your phone against criminals, particularly when travelling in busy areas such as public transport, outside stations, shopping centres and concert venues. You should also remain aware when walking along streets/main roads as motorbike/bike phone theft does occur across London.

Cross body phone cases/lanyards are super safe and will support the prevention of theft, you can check out some examples.

In the unlikely event that your phone is stolen, please report it to the police and to your Hall’s staff.

2. Keep your belongings hidden 📌

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.

3. Carry minimal cash 📌

Keep your purse or wallet close to your body and don't carry too much cash.

4. Remain mindful of your surroundings 📌

Do not let anyone follow you into the building (commonly described as tailgating) unless they have their own key.

5. Stay alert walking around London 📌

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.

6. Be cautious with strangers 📌

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.

7. Report anything suspicious 📌

If you feel uncomfortable about any activity in or nearby the hall, please 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, please call the building reception who will contact the UAL out of hours accommodation team.

There are also a number of UAL Out of Hours and Emergency Contacts.

8. Keep your phone charged 📌

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. Your phone is very valuable in safety situations.

9. Try to avoid walking alone at night 📌

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 should you find yourself in a situation when walking home late at night alone. 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.